Don't Struggle in Silence

Hardship: Finding it hard to cope?
At the moment, we are aware that some individuals and families may be finding it hard to cope. You may be experiencing some kind of hardship, which is making day-to-day living hard.

You may be finding some of the following difficult:

Having enough food for you and your family?
Finding the money to pay your bills?
Being unable to get to essential appointments? E.g. doctor or hospital?
Not being able to collect vital medicine?
Needing help with childcare?
Struggling with domestic tasks in the home?
Abuse?
Feeling lonely and isolated?

Please do not struggle in silence.

Firstly, talk to someone that you trust. There are many agencies that exist locally to help people in need. Sometimes you may well find that by confiding in a friend or neighbour, help is at hand closer than you think. Remember, a trouble shared, is often a trouble halved.

Below, you will find some links to agencies that could be helpful. Also, do speak to a member of your school community that you trust. The school has links with a wide spectrum of local contacts.

As a community, we will of course, surround you in prayer at this difficult time.

Foodbanks

Foodbank Xtra:

Please pass the information below onto anyone who might need it:

Milton Keynes Council and MK Food Bank have teamed up to offer more help to local people in crisis.

To Get Help:

Food Bank Xtra is specifically for people who receive benefits, free school meals for their children, who are in severe debt or crisis, are unemployed, homeless, or at risk of homelessness and other similar vulnerable situations.

• Call Food Bank Xtra on 01908 565852 between 10am and 4pm Monday to Friday, to discuss your situation in confidence with experienced staff.

• Visit a Service Centre, where social distancing will be followed:

o Melrose Centre, Bletchley – 9:00am – 11:00am (Mon-Fri)

o Milton Keynes Christian Centre, Oldbrook – 11:00am – 1:00pm (Mon-Fri)

o King's Community Centre, Wolverton – 1:00pm – 3:00pm (Mon-Fri)

o More centres will be added shortly

You will need to bring ID to the Serving Centre for every family member. If someone is collecting on your behalf, they will need to bring your ID. You will also be required to provide evidence of eligibility.

National network of food banks
Find your local Food Bank: https://www.trusselltrust.org/

Bedford Food Bank
https://bedford.foodbank.org.uk/

Dine with us community larder – Bedford (Facebook page)
https://www.facebook.com/DineWithUsOnTheStreetsCherriesLegacy/

Corby Food Bank
https://www.trusselltrust.org/get-help/find-a-foodbank/ (9 Foodbanks in Corby)

Northampton Food Bank
https://www.trusselltrust.org/get-help/find-a-foodbank/ (8 Foodbanks in Northampton)

Citizens Advice Service

Citizen’s Advice Service
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/
This offers advice with the following:

Benefits
Work
Debt and money
Consumer
Family
Housing
Law and courts
Immigration
Health

Bedford – https://www.bedfordcab.org.uk/

Corby - https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/local/corby-kettering/contact-us/

Northampton - https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/local/central-east-northants/contact-us/

Financial Support

Money Advice
St Andrew’s Church, Bedford
http://www.standrewsbedford.org/st-andrews-groups/money-advice/

Financial support – Corby
https://www.corby.gov.uk/home/housing-and-neighbourhood-services/landlord-services/financial-inclusion-and-support/debt

Homelessness

Shelter – national charity for the homeless
https://www.shelter.org.uk/

Bedford - https://bedfordhomeless.org.uk/organisations/day-centre/

Corby Nightlight - Local charity to help with rough sleeping and hunger
https://www.corbynightlight.org.uk/#about

Northampton Hope Centre helping with poverty and homelessness. All are welcome
https://northamptonhopecentre.org.uk/

Northampton Night Shelter - https://www.northampton.gov.uk/info/200184/housing-advice/1280/rough-sleeping/2

Northampton emergency help and sustaining independent living – financial support
https://www.billhelp.uk/northamptonshire-emergency-help-and-sustaining-independent-living/

Medical

Contact your own doctor’s surgery – make them aware of your need / problem and they will be able to direct you to some help.

Bedford - https://www.nhs.uk/Services/Trusts/GPs/DefaultView.aspx?id=89678

Corby - https://www.nhs.uk/Services/Trusts/GPs/DefaultView.aspx?id=89602

Northampton - https://www.nhs.uk/Services/Trusts/GPs/DefaultView.aspx?id=89803

Maggie’s – Cancer support – Northampton
https://www.maggies.org/our-centres/maggies-northampton/

Mental Health

Mental Health - Mind

Bedford - https://www.mind-blmk.org.uk/how-we-can-help/bedford/

Corby - https://www.corbymind.org.uk/

Northampton - https://www.northamptonmind.org.uk/

Crisis Café – Bedford

https://www.elft.nhs.uk/service/461/Mental-Health-Crisis-Caf%C3%A9-%E2%80%93-Bedford

Crisis Café – Corby
https://www.corbymind.org.uk/our-services/the-sanctuary/

Crisis Café – Northampton
https://www.nhft.nhs.uk/crisis-cafe/venue/crisis-caf-northampton-410/

For local support and services in Northampton call anytime of the day or night: 0300 330 10 11 - Lines available 24 hours a day, seven days a week:

https://www.nhft.nhs.uk/mentalhealth

For a wide range of practical support: https://www.cirv-nsd.org.uk/Mental-Health-Support/Help-and-Advice/

https://www.nhft.nhs.uk/mentalhealth

Please also visit our Wellbeing area for support and advice for the whole family.

Faces: Family Support

This umbrella organisation can help you with:

Domestic Abuse
Support for young people and families experiencing issues with Child Sexual Exploitation
Help with family finance
Help with pregnancy and infants
Support with parenting issues
Signposting to our partner agencies - such as debt advice.
Depression
Isolation
Victim Support

https://www.facesbedford.org/

Sexual assault support (24 hour)

Serenity – Northamptonshire

https://www.nhft.nhs.uk/serenity

Call: 01604 601713

Churches, mosques and temples

Take a look at the website of some of your local churches, mosques and temples – many offer assistance to local people, e.g. the Saint Vincent de Paul Society is active in Catholic parishes.

Catholic Diocese of Northampton: https://northamptondiocese.org/

Churches Together in England: https://www.cte.org.uk/

St Vincent De Paul Society: https://www.svp.org.uk/

Muslim Council of Great Britain: https://mcb.org.uk/

Sikh: http://sikhcounciluk.org/

Jewish Leadership Council: https://www.thejlc.org/portal?splash=1

Hardship: Finding it hard to cope? At the moment, we are aware that some individuals and families may be finding it hard to cope. You may be experiencing some kind of hardship, which is making day-to-day living hard.