The government and Hampshire County Council are offering help and support to residents and households in need during these economically difficult times.
You can refer to these websites for information about food vouchers, help with energy bills and childcare costs, as well as community food banks.
Advice and Support
New Forest District Council are working with local partners to provide advice and support with matters related to debt, housing, household costs and bills, homelessness, childcare and carers.
Cost of living information – New Forest District Council
Hampshire County Council’s phone advice line ‘Hitting the Cold Spots’ can offer assistance with switching your energy provider or tariff, help with access funding for boiler repairs, benefits and debt advice and eligibility checks for the Warm Home Discount and local energy efficiency schemes.
Hitting the cold spots | Health and social care | Hampshire County Council (hants.gov.uk)
Hampshire County Council’s connect4communities aims to support those most in need with significantly rising living costs, particularly families with children, pensioners and unpaid carers who would otherwise struggle with energy, fuel, food and water bills.
connect4communities | Children and Families | Hampshire County Council (hants.gov.uk)
Citizens Advice New Forest provide free, independent, confidential and impartial advice on the cost of living.
Worried about the Cost of Living? Get Help in New Forest Now (newforestcab.org.uk)
Citizens Advice New Forest fold up leaflet on cost-of-living support in the local area.
CAB-fold-up-leaflet-about-cost-of-living-support.pdf (newmiltontowncouncil.gov.uk)
Food Banks and Larders
Community Pantries in Hampshire
Community pantries – Hampshire | Children and Families | Hampshire County Council (hants.gov.uk)
Food Larders in New Milton – Ashley Baptist Church and Nedderman Centre.
New-Milton-Food-Larders-1.pdf (newmiltontowncouncil.gov.uk)
Children’s Clothes and Toy Swaps
Community Hub at the Nedderman Centre, New Milton, works in partnership with Step Up Safe Space to provide a children’s clothes and toys swap.
Community-Hub-at-The-Nedderman-Centre-2.pdf (newmiltontowncouncil.gov.uk)
Warm Space
Residents can find a full list of Warm Spaces across the New Forest district at:
https://www.newforest.gov.uk/article/3173/Find-a-Warm-Space
New Milton Library is providing a warm space for all members of the local community with free access to Wi-Fi, public computers, puzzles and books.
Applications for New Forest District Council’s Warm Space grant can be made at www.newforest.gov.uk/warmspacesgrant
Chat Groups
A warm space to meet and chat with others in the community.
Naked Quench, New Milton, BH25 4JH. ‘Chat Club’ Tuesday 2.30pm – 4pm
New Milton Library, Gore Road, New Milton BH25 6RW ‘Chat About’ Tuesday 10am – 12pm
New Life Tots! at New Life Church, New Milton, BH25 6RZ Mondays 9am-11:30am (term time)