Cost of living support: food, home and money
The cost-of-living crisis presents an ongoing challenge to people and families across Scotland, with many struggling to make ends meet. Not only is it is affecting people financially, it is having an impact on their mental health and wellbeing.
On this page you can find resources and information, organisations and services that can help with the cost of living crisis, including the impact it can have on your mental health and ways to improve your wellbeing.
Let us know what works well for you. If you have any other suggestions for this page, please email ithriveedinburgh@health-in-mind.org.uk
Money
With bigger bills and stretched budgets, you may well be feeling a financial squeeze on all sides. From heating your home to the supermarket shop, fuel and your everyday essentials, prices have been going up.
If you’re concerned about the cost of living and how to look after your money, this is a good place to start. This section has information that can help you manage your finances and understand what support you are entitled to.
Citizens Advice Scotland’s Money Map will help you find sources of online support to:
- Increase your income
- Reduce your bills
- Ease the daily cost of living
This includes information on benefits, council tax, grants, budgeting, utilities, food, clothing and enegry costs.
Learn more here – moneymap.scot
Mental Health and Money Toolkit will help you understand, manage and improve your mental and financial health.
You can use it to help guide conversations with your relevant healthcare worker about your mental health and money. You can also take it with you to any money or debt advice appointments you might attend.
Organisations
Energy Saving Trust has some great information on how to understand your energy bill. They also provide some tips that could help you save money on energy.
The City of Edinburgh Council has created a page of advice and services available to those living in Edinburgh.
GOV UK Winter Fuel Payment is available to those born on or before 25 September 1956, find out if you could be eligible.
The ‘Worrying about Money?’ Guide for Edinburgh is designed to help frontline staff and volunteers, and those experiencing financial insecurity, to more easily identify and access appropriate financial support and advice.
The Advice Shop provides information, advice and advocacy for welfare benefits and personal debt. The team can also help you with benefits.
CHAI (Community Health and Advice Initiative) support people and communities throughout Edinburgh with housing, money difficulties, employability and benefits.
CAP (Christians Against Poverty) provides free support to help you get out of debt. You can book an appointment with a local advisor by calling 0800 328 0006.
Granton Information Centre (GIC) provides free, impartial and confidential advice, and information on topics such as benefits, housing, rent arrears and debt.
Money Saving Expert Martin Lewis is Good Morning Britain’s “Money Man”, watch his short videos, giving information on how to save money.
Food
Here’s a range of information and support available to help you access food when you need it, make healthy and affordable meals, and understand the connection between food and our mental health and wellbeing.
Local organisations
Edinburgh Community Food aims to help people enjoy delicious, fresh, healthy food and making sure Edinburgh’s citizens have access to an affordable and healthy diet.
Bridgend Farmhouse Community is a diverse community of people from all walks of life.
Edinburgh Food Project provides emergency food and support to Edinburgh’s citizens.
The Edinburgh City Mission‘s Care van provides food, hot drinks and advice for homeless and vulnerable people.
Food Train Meal Makers provides older people (55 years old and over) with home-cooked meals and some company once a week.
Find your local food bank on the Trussell Trust website – www.trusselltrust.org/get-help/find-a-foodbank
Guides and information
Volunteer Edinburgh has created a guide on Google Maps that marks out organisations providing food support and deliveries.
Access the map here – Food deliveries and support map
Eat Well Age Well aims to tackle malnutrition in older people. It has a range of resources on how to keep healthy and well.
Change 4 Life has lots of recipes and ideas to help parents and guardians so you can make healthier choices for your families.
Parent Club has a wide range of recipes, food planners and healthy tips.
Cooking on a bootstrap is a blog from Jack Monroe and has lots of ideas and recipes to help you eat well on a low income.
The mental health charity Mind has a guide on ‘Food and mood‘ which looks at the connection between food and our wellbeing. It also includes information on how you can eat more healthily.
Home
Shelter has a dedicatedcost of living section on its website which includes information about:
- The rent freeze
- The eviction ban
- Get help with housing costs
Find out more here: Shelter Scotland – Your housing rights in the cost of living crisis
Home Energy Scotland are sharing ways to create a cosier and more comfortable space by taking control of your heating system.
Scottish Government has created an information page detailing how to stay well this winter and what practical support is available to those living in Scotland.
Warm Spaces
Edinburgh has a number of council and community-run buildings that are open to the public, such as libraries and community center’s where you can use services and participate in activities in warm, welcoming spaces. The City of Edinburgh Council has pulled together details of where you can go – Warm and welcoming spaces