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 their Household Support Fund web page.

What will we do with our funding between now and 31 March 2025

Support with energy bills

In January 2025, we operated an application scheme, where residents struggling to pay their energy bills could apply for support. This was 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.
No more than £3000 in savings.

This scheme has now closed. We will be assessing the applications after they have all been received and if you are successful you should expect to receive a payment in February.

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 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.

The Mildred Trust's longer-term objectives are:

1) Reducing food insecurity

2) Increasing social opportunities and participation

3) Increasing local partnerships and collective impact

Their 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 5:15pm-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

Visit The Mildred Trust Facebook page.

Download a poster of The Mildred Trust's current community events, for wider sharing.

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 plans 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 assistance of Ashford Borough Council, Repton Community Trust can extend their 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, they are there to help.

How to seek support

If you or someone you know could benefit from the People's Pantry, getting help is simple:

Visit: Drop by Repton Community Centre during their opening hours.
Contact: Call on 01233 80 80 23 or email info@reptonct.uk.
Confidential Assistance: Repton Community Trust's team understands that asking for help can be difficult. As such, they ensure a warm, non-judgmental environment where your privacy is respected.

Repton Community Trust is proud to be part of a community that stands together in solidarity. By working with Ashford Borough Council, they are expanding their ability to provide food, hope, dignity and a brighter future for everyone in Ashford.

Pensioner Just Missing Out Scheme

Eligible households in Ashford can now apply for vouchers worth £200 which can be used to help pay for food, energy or both.

To find out more and to apply, visit Kent County Council's website. If any of our residents need help to apply, please contact one of our Welfare Intervention Officers by emailing welfare@ashford.gov.uk and they will be more than happy to help.

This scheme is funded by the UK Government's Household Support Fund and will close on 28 February 2025 or when all funds are spent.