Food Support

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Cost-of-living crisis

The cost-of-living crisis has made it much more difficult for many people to afford food. If this is something you are experiencing, there are several information points below which can help.

Foodbanks:

We know that accessing foodbanks or other projects for the first time can be dauting. However, the volunteers do their utmost to make visitors feel welcome.

With one visitor saying: “It was just a small personal touch that made you feel welcome and, on the occasions, where I was on a tiny budget, it also felt like somebody did care that times were tough.”

To find a foodbank or other food support please visit https://www.birmingham.gov.uk/foodhelp

Healthy Start card

If you are 10 weeks pregnant or more, have a child under four years old, or you or your family get certain benefits, you may be able to qualify for a Healthy Start card.

The card has money on it to be used in shops to buy plain liquid cow’s milk; fresh, frozen, and tinned fruit and vegetables; fresh, dried, and tinned pulses; and infant formula milk based on cow’s milk. You can also get free vitamins.

To find out more and how to apply visit www.birmingham.gov.uk/healthystart

Free School Meals

You can also check if your child can get free school meals, visit www.birmingham.gov.uk/school-meals to see if you are eligible. (This will automatically register you for the Holidays, Activities and Food Programme.)

Warm Welcome:

We are working with the local community and a partnership of voluntary and community sector organisations to expand a network of warm spaces. These spaces will be available for people to use and visit during the winter period and beyond.

There are several existing Warm Welcome Spaces within local communities across the city. These are:

• Inclusive and non-judgmental
• Heated and free to access

The services at each space will vary but may include:

• Information on further support and available guidance
• Opportunities to participate in activities and learn new things
• Free internet access, computers and charging points
• A friendly environment to connect with others within the community

You can find details of our current Birmingham Warm Welcome Spaces at www.birmingham.gov.uk/warmwelcome

Keep checking back online as more spaces will be launched weekly.

More Information Available

Even more information is available on the Birmingham City Council website www.birmingham.gov.uk/helpinbrum which can guide you to various organisations depending on the help you may require, Alternatively, phone 0121 303 9944 and one of our customer service team will be able to help you.