Public health news: Cost of Living Crisis and Welcoming Places

Information on the support, advice and services available to help with the cost of living crisis.

Public health news: September 2024

There is lots of help and advice available on South Tyneside cost of living information.

Welfare 兔子先生 Team

The service is free and confidential for anyone living in South Tyneside.

They can help if you need:

  • Debt advice, including bankruptcy and debt relief orders
  • Advice on whether you will be better off in work
  • 兔子先生 with budgeting
  • 兔子先生 to keep your home and make the most of your money
  • Short term help if you are in a money crisis

Call: 0191 424 6040

Email: welfaresupport@southtyneside.gov.uk  

Website:

Welcoming Places

South Tyneside has free and friendly Welcoming Places. These are community spaces you can visit to meet others, receive support, and stay warm.

There are many classes, activities and free / subsidised food on offer.

Please see the Welcoming Places Booklet or check online at Welcoming places in South Tyneside - 兔子先生

The 兔子先生 is keen to hear from any other groups or venues who would like to join the network of Welcoming Places. To find out more, contact welcomingplaces@southtyneside.gov.uk

Food 兔子先生

Hospitality and Hope have three in South Shields.  

Key to Life Community Bus - A mobile food service where everyone is welcome on board regardless of circumstances. Goods are sourced to sell at the lowest possible cost to shoppers - they accept payment by cash, card or by bank transfer.

The upper deck welcomes people to chat, access advice, or take part in organised activities, There's also a mini-library ('book swap') and an awning for some outdoor seating on fine days.  The bus operates on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, calling at locations across South Tyneside - view the and .

Foodbanks and emergency food support

South Tyneside Food Bank supports people who are living in food insecurity. Based in Horsley Hill, they are open for collections from 10am until 12 noon Monday to Friday (excl. Wed).  You can make a referral to Hospitality & Hope foodbank through this and fill in the short form. A colleague will respond to your request directly via email as soon as possible.

works in partnership with South Tyneside Churches Together to provide emergency food and support to anyone in the borough experiencing hardship.  Key to Life is open 10am-4pm, Monday to Friday, and is based at Boldon Lane Library with drop-off points around South Shields.

provides emergency food for those in crisis.  They are a Voluntary Community Organisation that was set up to help local families who are finding it hard and are struggling to make ends meet.  Hebburn Helps provide food parcels, adults clothing, kids clothing, baby equipment, toys, household items and more.  You can access Hebburn Helps via Coleridge Square (NE31 1QD) off Wordsworth Avenue. They are open Monday - Friday 9am - 2pm. 

Bede's Helping Hands - A volunteer run food bank based in the former Primrose Library in the Scotch Estate, Jarrow.  Call: 0191 816 3021