Household Support Fund Round 6 - Closes 31 March 2025
It has been announced that there will be a sixth round of the Household Support Fund (HSF). Government have confirmed to Kent County Council (KCC) their share of the funding. KCC have also now confirmed that districts will receive an allocation of KCC’s HSF funding from Government.
To find out more regarding how KCC are using their share of the funding please visit https://www.kent.gov.uk/leisure-and-community/cost-of-living-support/urgent-financial-help-and-extra-support/household-support-fund
What will we do with our funding between now and 31 March 2025
Support regarding Food and Wider Essentials
In respect of food and more wider support linked to food and energy, we are finalising arrangements to work with four charities locally, and details will continue to be updated in respect of how referrals, or access to this part of our scheme can be made.
Currently we can update that we have provided funding to the following organisations:
The Mildred Trust: Rural Community Compassion in Action. Creating equality of opportunity for people in rural areas including Tenterden and the surrounding areas.
Our longer-term objectives:
1) Reducing Food Insecurity
2) Increasing social opportunities and participation
3) Increasing local partnerships and collective impact
Our current projects include:
- The Old School House Larder. Free grocery, household and hygiene products for all local families with children under 18: Tuesday evenings EC30, Recreational Ground Road, Tenterden, TN30 6HT The Old School House Larder v6 Under 181 15pm-6.15pm & Friday Mornings Tenterden Family Hub, from Jan 2025.
- New community shop/social supermarket moving from Highbury Hall to Tenterden Leisure Centre Jan 2025.
- New community Fridge opening in January 2025 Tenterden Leisure Centre.
- Community events and activities: Next event Saturday 14th December 2024 10am-12pm Tenterden Leisure Centre. Free family food workshop.
https://www.facebook.com/TheMildredTrust
Website: http://www.themildredtrust.org/ (Under construction)
Email: beth.rice@themildredtrust.org (This will change to a generic address going forward)
Tel: 07745 694748 for further information
Pneuma Church UK: This organisation plan to use the funding to help with essential white goods as well as gas and electric energy support. A referral form from a professional or someone in a referring organisation will be required to enable assistance. A referral can be made using the following email compassion@pneumachurch.uk
Repton Community Trust / People's Pantry: Supporting Our Community Together
Repton Community Trust, through the People's Pantry initiative, is committed to ensuring that no individual or family in our community goes without essential support. Thanks to the invaluable assistance of Ashford Brough Council, we can extend our reach and provide vital resources to those in need. The People's Pantry is more than a food bank; it's a hub of community connection and compassion. Whether you're facing financial hardship or food insecurity or simply need guidance during challenging times, we are here to help.
How to Seek Support
If you or someone you know could benefit from the People's Pantry, getting help is simple:
- Visit Us: Drop by Repton Community Centre during our opening hours.
- Contact Us: Call us on 01233 80 80 23 or email info@reptonct.uk
- Confidential Assistance: Our team understands that asking for help can be difficult. We ensure a warm, non-judgmental environment where your privacy is respected.
We are proud to be part of a community that stands together in solidarity. By working with the Ashford Brough Council, we are expanding our ability to provide food, hope, dignity, and a brighter future for everyone in Ashford.
Essential White Goods – scheme now open!
Professionals working with financially vulnerable residents, can refer their residents to us for help & support, to buy or replace, essential white goods. We may be able to support residents to have access to new or refurbished white goods, for example cookers, fridges and washing machines. If you are a professional, working with a financially vulnerable resident, and you’d like to refer them to this scheme, please email their details to welfare@ashford.gov.uk, with their consent. Examples of a professional would be Family Liaison Officer in a school, a charitable or voluntary sector employee, an Ashford Borough Council Officer, or Councillor, a Housing Association employee, a social worker, a Foodbank volunteer, a doctor or nurse…. Anyone who is working with a resident in a professional capacity.
Support with Energy bills
In January 2025, we are working towards operating an application scheme, where residents struggling to pay their energy bills can apply for support. This will be subject to the following criteria:-
- Aged 16 or over.
- An Ashford Borough Council resident.
- Responsible for paying the household energy bill (only one award per household)
- Combined household income (including both benefit and employment payments) less than £40,000.00 per annum.
More details will be available on this page in early January. The scheme will run for the month of January only. You will be asked to provide evidence to support your application, such as a utility bill and/or bank statement.
