Children, young people and families

Cost of living support

If you are a parent or guardian, and need support to help with the cost of living, the following services and organisations might be able to assist you.

Remember - if you are struggling, you are not alone and there is no shame in asking for help. Everyone needs a little bit of extra support at some point in their lives.

Free childcare for three and four year olds

Plymouth has a wide range of childcare providers that can help to look after children and young people. Find a childcare provider.

The government has introduced free 30 hours of childcare to eligible families. Find out more at childcarechoices.gov.uk

Phone 01752 668000

Website plymouthonlinedirectory.com

Free school meals in Plymouth

If you receive certain benefits, such as Universal Credit, then your child may be entitled to a free lunch at school. Schools receive extra funding for children entitled to free school meals which means it's important to apply if you can, even if your child is in reception, year 1 or year 2 and so already receives a free lunch.

Phone 01752 307410

Email fsm@plymouth.gov.uk

Website plymouth.gov.uk

Uniform store Plymouth

The Uniform Store Plymouth is a free service available to help families kit out children of all ages with the uniform they need for school. This service is available to anyone who needs it, with no referral required.

This service is a joint project run by Plymouth Vineyard Church and Redeemer Church Plymouth, supported by donations of good quality school uniform.

Fit and fed

Plymouth City Council has received funding from the Department for Education to coordinate a city-wide holiday activity and food programme during 2022 to support families with children who receive free school meals.

Each holiday club will have a different theme (for example, sport, art, outdoors, or dance) and will offer a different mix of activities.

Phone 01752 668000

Website plymouth.gov.uk

Free food and milk via Healthy Start

If you're more than 10 weeks pregnant or have a child under 4, you may be entitled to get help to buy healthy food and milk.

If you're eligible, you'll be sent a Healthy Start card with money on it that you can use in some UK shops. We'll add your benefit onto this card every 4 weeks.

Phone 0300 330 7010

Email healthy.start@nhsbsa.nhs.uk

Website healthystart.nhs.uk

Find out what benefits and financial support you may be able to get

Use the government's online tool to find out what support you might be able to get to help with your living costs. You can get benefits and other financial support if you're eligible.

Check what benefits and financial support you can get

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Cost of living support
Heating and energy support
Food and shopping support
Money and financial support
Housing and homelessness support
Mental health support
Employment and training support
Children, young people and families
Help and support for carers
Warm and welcoming spaces
Free internet and wi-fi access support
Travel and transport
Help from the government - view all of the cost of living support schemes that you could be eligible for and apply today

How to submit an organisation or community group to this website

If you are an organisation or community group and can help support people living in Plymouth, please complete our online form, and we will add you to this directory.

Submit your offer of help and support