With the impact of the cost of living crisis being felt everywhere, we are committed to supporting individuals and families across our local community through these uncertain and challenging times. On this page, you can access a wide range of information, advice and guidance on support services, organisations and programmes that are here to help you navigate these current financial pressures.
Armagh Food Bank
Provides support to families following a referral from GP / Social Worker etc.
Mobile: 077 5268 0805
Email:
Open 10.30am-12.30pm Tuesdays and Saturdays.
Banbridge Food Bank
Provides support to families following a direct request.
Email:
Facebook: facebook.com/StorehouseBanbridgeFoodbank/
Emails are monitored Monday-Friday.
Craigavon Food Bank
Provides support to families following a referral from GP / Social Worker etc.
Tel: 0333 050 7702
Email:
Phone line is monitored Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm.
Dromore Food Bank
Provides support to families following a direct request.
M: 079 4678 3279
Email:
Web: www.viawings.co.uk
Facebook: facebook.com/ViaWingsDromore
The Society of St Vincent de Paul
Offer direct, personal assistance that is non-judgmental and based on the need of the individual or family.
Tel: 028 9035 1561
Web: www.svp.ie/requesthelp
Salvation Army
Provides help and support to those in need, offering emergency support, foodbank assistance and more.
76-82 Union Street,
Lurgan
BT66 8ED
Tel: 028 3832 3222
Mob: 07942 614738
National Energy Action
Find out about grants that may be available to help with insulation and heating improvements in your home.
Tel: 028 9023 9909
Web: www.nea.org.uk
Power NI
Find out about what help, and support is available to help you manage your energy bills and more.
Tel: 03457 455 455
Web: http://powerni.co.uk
Web: https://powerni.co.uk/help/customer-support/further-support-and-advice
Web: https://powerni.co.uk/help/customer-support/im-struggling-to-pay-what-should-i-do
Bryson Energy
Provides advice to householders on saving energy in your home and information on any funding grants available (within Northern Ireland) on ways to keep your home warm (for example, loft installation).
Web: www.brysonenergy.org
NI Energy Advice
Offers free independent and impartial energy advice to domestic householders in Northern Ireland – including advice about energy grants and other sources of help.
Tel: 0800 1114455
Email: /">
Web: https://www.nihe.gov.uk/Community/NI-Energy-Advice
Phoenix Natural Gas
Based on income, Phoenix Natural Gas can offer a Boiler Replacement Allowance, which aims to help with the cost of replacing your old, inefficient boiler that is over 15 years old.
Tel: 08454 555555
Web: http://phoenixnaturalgas.com
Energy Wise
Provides tips and advice to help you control what energy you use and control what it costs.
Web: https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/campaigns/energy-wise
Housing Executive Boiler Replacement Allowance
Based on income and owning your own home, the Housing Executive can offer a Boiler Replacement Allowance, which aims to help with the cost of replacing your old, inefficient boiler that is over 15 years old.
Tel: 0344 892 0900
Web: https://www.nihe.gov.uk/Housing-Help/Affordable-Warmth-Boiler-Replacement/Boiler-replacement-Scheme
Winter Fuel Payment
If you are aged 60 or over you may get a Winter Fuel Payment to help pay for keeping warm in winter. The Winter Fuel Payment is tax-free and paid yearly to eligible older people.
Web: www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/winter-fuel-payment
Cold Weather Payment
If you’re receiving certain benefits, you could qualify for extra money for each week there is very cold weather in your area.
Web: www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/cold-weather-payment
Affordable Warmth Scheme
We along with Newry Mourne and Down Council and the Northern Ireland Housing Executive can help eligible householders in need to pay for energy efficiency improvements such as loft installation.
Tel: 03301 374024
Email:
Web: https://www.armaghbanbridgecraigavon.gov.uk/resident/public-health-and-housing/#1515514215524-d61531a1-8b63
Keep Cosy Scheme
Open to all householders in the borough, the scheme is designed to help those who use central heating oil to budget and save to buy oil.
Web: https://www.armaghbanbridgecraigavon.gov.uk/download/3477/keep-cosy/16943/keep-cosy-leaflet.pdf
Community Advice Armagh
Offers borough residents free, independent, confidential, and impartial advice, advocacy, and information.
9 McCrum’s Court
Armagh.
BT61 7RSTel: 028 3752 4041
Email:
Open Monday – Friday, 9.30am-3.30pm.
Community Advice Banbridge
Offers borough residents free, independent, confidential, and impartial advice, advocacy, and information.
77 Bridge Street,
Banbridge
Down.
BT32 3JL
Tel: 028 4062 2201
Email:
Open Monday-Friday, 9.30am-4pm.
Community Advice Craigavon
Offers borough residents free, independent, confidential, and impartial advice, advocacy, and information.
Lurgan Office
Mount Zion House,
Edward Street
Lurgan.
BT66 6BD
Tel: 028 3836 1181
Email:
Open Monday-Thursday, 9am-5pm and Friday, 9am-4pm.
Portadown Office
Portadown Health Centre,
Tavanagh Avenue,
Portadown
BT62 3BU
Tel: 028 3836 1181
Email:
Open Monday-Thursday, 9am-5pm and Friday, 9am-4pm.
Make the Call
Assists with making sure individuals and households are getting all the benefits, services and supports they are entitled to.
Tel: 0800 232 1271
Web: www.nidirect.gov.uk/makethecall
FINANCIAL AND DEBT MANAGEMENT PROGRAMME
During the current cost of living crisis we all need a little help to help balance the household books. To help play our part ABC Council will be delivering a Financial and Debt Management Programme which aims to enable households to focus on the specific areas they need to concentrate on to ensure that their money management and budgeting becomes more robust and lessen debt worries.
The programme will offer money and debt management advice and provide practical support and guidance through online and in person workshops and mentoring which will help households tackle the challenges faced with the rising cost of living, plus identify and take advantage of opportunities and undertake structured and planned management of household budgets.
To find out more contact Courtney at Advice NI on T: 028 9064 5919 E: or via the contact form at adviceni.net
COST OF LIVING FINANCE SURVIVAL KIT
We have developed a network of warm spaces to help support community groups this winter.
Based across council facilities, this network is designed to support local community groups deliver vital programmes and services in a safe, secure, and warm environment – free of charge – helping groups save on heating, electric or room hire costs.
Programmes can be delivered across any of the warm spaces listed below (subject to availability) for up to five sessions.
- Ashgrove Community Centre: 156 Garvaghy Road, Portadown
- Avenue Road Community Centre: 5 Carrick Drive, Lurgan
- Banbridge Leisure Centre: 15 Downshire Pl, Banbridge BT32 3JY
- Brownlow Community Hub: 7 Brownlow Road, Craigavon
- Brownstown Jubilee Community Centre: 3 Brownstown Park, Portadown
- Dobbin Street Community Centre: 11A Dobbin Street, Armagh
- Dromore Community Centre: Holm Park, Lurgan Road, Dromore
- Dromore Town Hall: The Square, Dromore
- Gilford Community Centre: 5 Stramore Road, Gilford
- Killicomaine Jubilee Community Centre: 32A Festival Road, Portadown
- Lurgan Town Hall: 2-6 Union Street, Lurgan
- Mourneview Community Centre: 15 Knockshee, Lurgan
- North Lurgan Community Centre: Levin Road, Lurgan
- Old Town Hall Banbridge: 1 Scarva St, Banbridge BT32 3DA
- Portadown People’s Park Pavillion: Portadown, Craigavon BT62 1ED
- Portadown Town Hall: 15-17 Edward Street, Portadown
- Rathfriland Community Centre: 21 St John Street, Rathfriland
- Richhill Recreation Centre: New Line, Richhill
- Taghnevan Youth & Community Centre: Glenholme Park, Lurgan
- Tandragee Recreation Centre: 24 Madden Road, Tandragee
- Tommy Makem Arts & Community Centre: 7 The Cow Fair, Keady
Who can apply?
To be eligible to apply to the warm spaces initiative, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Constituted community group based in the borough of Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon.
- Programme or project must be aimed at supporting borough residents with the cost of living crisis.
How to apply?
Please complete this form and return to . If you have an idea or would like to find out more contact us on:
Warm Hub Pilot Scheme
As we continue to help keep residents connected and warm at this time, we are continuing to pilot the Warm Hub Scheme at Portadown Town Hall and Tommy Makem Arts & Community Centre, Keady.
These local warm hubs are open to everyone and offer the chance for local residents to drop in and enjoy a hot drink, have a chat or read the paper in a warm and safe environment.
- Times: 10am to 1pm
- Dates: Tuesdays and Thursdays from Tuesday 24 January to Thursday 23 February.
Following the pilot and a full review, it is our hope to roll this initiative out across more council facilities in the borough.
To find out more about this pilot scheme, please contact our Community Development team on 0300 0300 900.
Supporting your wellbeing this winter
With the colder weather and darker evenings, the winter period often increases loneliness and social isolation. Our community centres run an extensive schedule of classes and activities aimed at helping people connect all year round. Catering for the young and old and supporting physical and mental wellbeing, there is something for everyone.
Explore what’s on in your local community centre this winter, by contacting us on
Please note, prices to attend these activities may vary.
Borough wide support
Children & Young People’s Strategic Partnership (CYPSP) has collated a guide of support for families and children struggling with the current cost of living crisis. Access support services and programmes across the region here: https://cypsp.hscni.net/download/390/lpg/39049/cost-of-living-crisis-resource.pdf.
Are you part of a community group delivering a programme or project that aims to support local people through the cost of living crisis? CYPSP can help promote this for you.
Please complete this form and return to Valerie Maxwell on .
The Society of St Vincent de Paul
Offer direct, personal assistance that is non-judgmental and based on the need of the individual or family.
Tel: 028 9035 1561
Web: www.svp.ie/requesthelp
Salvation Army
Provides help and support to those in need, offering emergency support, foodbank assistance and more.
76-82 Union Street,
Lurgan
BT66 8ED
Tel: 028 3832 3222
Mob: 07942 614738
Cost of Living Information & Advice – NI Direct
Provides information and advice to help with energy costs, income, housing and more.
Web: https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/campaigns/cost-living
Health and Wellbeing Directory
armaghbanbridgecraigavon.gov.uk/health-wellbeing-directory