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Additional support

Here is a list of services, agencies, charities and community groups who offer support in and around Basingstoke.

On this page:

Cost of living support

  • Help for households is a government website with useful information about managing the current cost of living crisis.
  • Connect to Support Hampshire website contains lots of information around managing the current cost of living including money worry support.
  • Connect 4 Communities is a website containing information on local projects. Their programme aims to support those most in need with significantly rising living costs, particularly families with children and pensioners who would otherwise struggle with energy, food and water bills.
  • Hampshire County Council – Hitting The Cold Spots provide help for people struggling to keep their homes warm through the colder months. Search for ‘cold spots’ on their website (see section 2 for more info). Call 0800 804 8601 from Monday to Friday between 9am and 5pm.

Debt and money management support

Christians Against Poverty (CAP UK) offer debt counselling and guidance on managing your money.

No debt is too big or too small. Call to register for a local representative to contact you or visit their website for more information.

  • 0800 328 0006 – open Monday – Thursday, 9.30am–5pm and, Friday, 9.30am–3.30pm.
  • www.capuk.org

Money Lifeline are a Basingstoke charity offering free, independent advice on money and how to handle debt based at the Sarum Hill Centre.

Contact them through their website, or by phone or text:

Step Change provide free, independent advice on money, debt stress and how to handle debt.

Offering help online, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, as well as by phone:

Stop Loan Sharks investigate and prosecute illegal money lenders and provide support for borrowers in the UK.

Access support by calling or starting a live chat via the website website (available Mon – Fri, 9am – 5pm). The website contains helpful information about what a loan shark is and how you can report a loan shark. This is done in strictest confidence and can be done anonymously if you wish.

National Debt Line are a webchat and phoneline advice service on debt, arrears, bills, debt solutions, bailiffs and help with court action on debt.

They also have an online budgeting tool, fact sheets and example letters.

Domestic abuse

Women’s Aid are available to be contacted if you are worried about someone finding out you are looking at domestic abuse information. Visit their website to use their live chat, send an email, view their safety guide or use their online forum.

Stop Domestic Abuse provide help in Hampshire for those affected by domestic abuse. Call 0330 0533 630 to contact for support.

Families

The Safe provide support for the family – free baby equip, pregnancy options, groups inc toddler, bereaved parents & Dad’s hub.

 Home-Start provide free emotional and practical support for families with children 5 and under.

Healthy Start support for those who are eligible, to buy certain food and milk with our healthy start card. Visit their website for more information. Phone lines are open Monday to Friday 8am – 6pm.

  • www.healthystart.nhs.uk
  • 0300 330 7010 – call to ask questions about healthy start, request an interpreter.
  • 0300 330 2090 – call to activate your card, get your PIN, hear your balance.

Spotlight UK provide free and low-cost activities for young people in Basingstoke and surrounding areas, helping them increase confidence and self-esteem.

Housing

  • Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council – Housing services – Homelessness service. Call 01256 844844 Mon to Fri 8.30am – 4.30pm. Check out their website and search for Homelessness for more information on the types of services they can offer.
  • Shelter offer advice around housing, evictions, and homelessness. Use the free helpline or webchat if you have nowhere to sleep, might be homeless soon or you could be at risk of harm. The website has lots of housing advice for a quick answer, want to find out your housing rights, or to find out your next steps. Call 0808 800 4444 – Mon to Fri 8am – 8pm, weekends and bank holidays 9am – 5pm
  • The Camrose Centre give free support (inc hot meals) for anyone who is experiencing homelessness and anyone who is vulnerably housed (at risk of losing their home) in Basingstoke. Open Tuesdays and Thursdays between 10am and 2pm for breakfast and a hot lunch. Run a ‘brunchtime’ session on Fridays between 10am and 12.30pm (for those who are homeless only). Sunday lunchtime session 12pm to 3pm. Call 01256 320877.

Low income and benefits

Citizens Advice offer information about benefits, debt, energy costs, housing and many other areas.

You can contact your local branch by telephone or fill in the online enquiry form via their website and they will contact you. They also offer a drop-in service. Check out their website for their current drop-ins:

Basingstoke:

Tadley

Turn2us are a national charity supporting people in financial need gain access to welfare benefits, charitable grants and other financial help by supporting online, via phone and face to face.

Their free, confidential and independent helpline is available Mon – Fri, 9am – 5pm.

Mental health

Andover Mind support mental health and wellbeing.

Safe Haven is run by Andover mind and provides emotional and practical help to individuals over 18 experiencing mental health crises within calm, safe & confidential surroundings.

Open 6pm – 10pm 365 days per year.

  • You can come in person at 3 Vyne Road, Basingstoke, RG21 5NL or virtually.
  • 0300 303 5772

Talking Therapies (italk) – A psychological therapy service.

Refugees and asylum seekers

  • Migrant Help protect people affected by displacement and exploitation, helping them to thrive and recover from their trauma. Call their free asylum helpline on 0808 8010 503 – open 24 hours a day, all year round.
  • The Salvation Army support  adult victims of modern slavery. Call their confidential referral helpline on 0800 808 3733 – available 24/7.
  • Infoline run by Refugee Council – The Infoline is an England-wide signposting, information and casework service. The service works with people who are experiencing, or at risk of, crisis and destitution. Call 0808 196 7272 – Mondays and Thursdays, 9.30am – 12.30pm

Substance misuse

Inclusion Jacobs House – Substance Misuse Service. Supporting those 25 and over affected by drugs and alcohol in Hampshire.

Catch 22 provide free and confidential advice for young people up to 25 in Hampshire for substance misuse support.

Water bills

  • Water UK will help you identify who your water supplier is so you know who to contact – click on ‘find your supplier’.
  • South East Water supports with managing water bills. Call 0800 952 4000 on Monday to Friday between 8am and 7pm.
  • Thames Water can support if you’re struggling to pay your bills. Call 0800 009 3652 (select option 1) – Monday to Friday, 8am – 5pm. Or 0800 980 8800 – Monday to Friday, 8am – 8pm. Sat, 8am – 6pm.
  • Southern Water supports with managing water bills. Call 0800 027 0363 – Mon – Fri, 9am – 5pm. This number is only for enquiries relating to anyone who is struggling to pay their bills.

Other useful organisations

All Yours – support for those facing period poverty.

If you need period products whilst you are in Festival Place, Basingstoke you can pop into any of the following stores to collect a discreet bag of products, just tell them you want to collect a package for Sam, no questions asked:

  • The Festival Place Customer Lounge.
  • Apricot Clothing.
  • The Body Shop.
  • Lush.
  • Pret.
  • New Look.
  • Basingstoke Discovery Centre

Follow All Yours on Facebook: www.facebook.com/allyoursmonthly

The Community Furniture Project Basingstoke sells a wide range of donated furniture, electrical and household items including chairs, sofas, tables, beds, fridges, washing machines, bric-a-brac and more.

Open to everyone, from 9am – 5pm, Monday to Saturday. 

Basingstoke Community Wardrobe aims are to reduce waste, reuse, and keep clothing affordable. You can swap clothes or make a small donation or payment. The Community Wardrobe is open Mondays to Fridays, 10am – 12pm with occasional rummage sales and additional sessions at other times. 

  • www.viables.org.uk
  • 01256 410605
  • The Roger Morris Centre, Eastrop Way, Basingstoke, RG21 4QE. 

HDCUK Community Shop and Dog/Cat food bank (Helping Dogs and Cats UK) are a non-profit animal rescue based in Basingstoke with a pet food bank.