Cost of living and winter support

Food support services

Several services offer food support without requiring a referral or voucher. St Matthew's Food Bank provides up to 10 items per visit with tea and coffee, while St Luke's Vestry offers fresh fruits and vegetables with an optional £3 donation. In North Kensington, the Venture Centre runs a Saturday foodbank and Wednesday hot lunch. They also operate as a warm space with community activities throughout the week.

The World's End Estate at Flashpoint Community Centre hosts a Monday community lunch and Friday coffee morning. For sit-down meals, Refettorio Felix serves vulnerable adults on weekdays, while Bay 20 provides Thursday takeaway meals plus weekday tea and coffee in their warm space, with Citizens Advice visiting Tuesdays. SMART Cafe operates as a pay-as-you-feel cafe.

Some services require a voucher or registration process. Kensington & Chelsea Foodbank provides three days' emergency food plus toiletries. To get a voucher, call the Help through Hardship helpline on 0808 208 2138. Dalgarno Trust serves local residents after a quick self-registration on Thursdays and also offers talking therapy, legal advice and health checks. St Michael's North Kensington works with the Kensington & Chelsea Foodbank and accepts vouchers from Citizens Advice or the Help through Hardship helpline. 

Low-cost food pantries

For ongoing food support, several pantries offer good value through small weekly subscriptions. The Abbey Centre Pantry charges £4.50 weekly for food items worth £15-20, including fresh produce. Staff can also help with benefits, housing and energy bill advice. Westbourne Park Food Pantry offers similar services at £5 per week. The SPACE runs a Monday community market, Saturday hot food, and a Tuesday Baby Bank for families with children under five.

Clothing and Christmas gifts

Chelsea Methodist Church provides free clothing alongside hot meals, showers and laundry facilities, with Glass Door caseworkers available for housing advice. This is a key warm space for vulnerable adults. The Community Wardrobe at Regent Hall offers pre-loved clothing including school uniforms and workwear and accepts self-referrals. With a £5 donation per family or £3 for individuals, everyone can leave with5 items. Self-referrals are welcome. For Christmas gifts for children aged 0-16, contact your local Salvation Army about their Christmas Present Appeal.

Energy Advice and Employment Support

Green Doctors offers free home energy advice to low-income households, over-65s and those with health conditions. The Green Doctors can visit you at home through a 90-minute consultation  or provide phone consultation. Self-refferals are welcome. If you are in need of any home improvements, Warm Homes Local Grant can help. To apply, please visit this link. 

For employment and benefits support, Z2K helps with complex benefits and housing issues, Paddington Law Centre offers free legal advice for residents of W2, W9 and W10, and Cardinal Hume Centre supports with income, housing and immigration. Open Age provides activities and employment support specifically for over-50s across multiple centres.

Support for Families

If your child (aged 4-16) receives free school meals, they can access holiday activities and food programmes. Click here for details and to book activities.

The Holiday period can be a difficult time for a lot of us. It is important to reach out for help if you need it. 

For opening times on when you can access these support services, please see below:

Food Banks & Community Kitchens

• St Matthew's Food Bank (W2 4LA): Wed 4-6pm. Closed on the week of Christmas/New Years. Tel: 020 7229 2192
• St Luke's Vestry (SW3 6NH): Tue 12-1pm. Tel: 020 7351 7365
• Venture Centre (W10 5YB): Sat foodbank 12-4pm; Wed hot lunch 12:45pm. Tel: 020 8960 3234
• World's End Estate (SW10 0DX): Thu foodbank 12-2pm; Mon lunch 1-2pm; Fri coffee 10am-12pm.
• North Kensington Community Kitchen (W11 2ES): Wed 11:30am-1pm.
• Refettorio Felix (SW5 9EB): Mon-Fri 12-1:30pm. Closed 20 Dec – 4 Jan. Tel: 020 7835 1389
• Bay 20 (W10 6JG): Thu meals 2-4pm; Mon-Fri tea/coffee 11am-4pm; Citizens Advice Tue 12-3pm. Tel: 020 3579 0384
• SMART Cafe (SW10 0JN): Mon, Thu, Sat, Sun open; Wed 1-4pm Tel: 020 7376 4668
• K&C Foodbank (W11 4AH): Tue & Fri. Voucher required: Tel: 020 3728 9003
• Dalgarno Trust (W10 5QB): Thu registration 10am-1pm, collection 2-5pm. Local residents only. Tel: 020 8969 6300
• St Michael's/WAND UK (W10 5SP): Tue registration 10am, collection begins at 1:00pm. Tel: 07813 485 607.
• Response Food Bank (SW5 9JF): Thu 11am-1pm. Closed 23 Dec – 6 Jan. Tel: 020 7370 4606

Pantries

• Abbey Centre Pantry (SW1P 3BU): Wed & Fri 9am-1pm. £4.50/week. Tel: 020 7222 0303.
• Westbourne Park Pantry (W2 5DX): Thu & Fri. £5/week. Tel: 020 7727 6019
• The SPACE (W10 6TT): Mon market; Sat hot food; Tue Baby Bank. Tel: 0800 047 8161.

Clothing & Support

• Chelsea Methodist Church (SW3 5TX): Mon & Tue 9am-1:15pm. Meals, showers, clothing, caseworkers. Tel: 020 7352 9305.
• Community Wardrobe, Regent Hall (W1B 2LQ): By appointment. Email: regenthallcommunitywardrobe@salvationarmy.org.uk
   

Energy & Employment Support

• Green Doctors By appointment. Tel: 0300 365 5003 or book online at london.greendoctors.org.uk
• Z2K (SW1H 9EX): By appointment/self-referral. Tel: 020 7259 0801 or visit z2k.org
• Paddington Law Centre (W10 4RE): Mon-Fri 10am-1pm & 2pm-5pm. Tel: 020 8960 3155.
• Cardinal Hume Centre (SW1P 2BG): Mon-Fri 9:30am-3pm. Tel: 020 7222 1602.
• Open Age Mon-Fri 9am-5pm. Tel: 020 8962 4141 or visit openage.org.uk. 

Please contact the support services to confirm their holiday operating times before your visit.