EVA (Enfield Voluntary Action) has pulled together an overview of services and initiatives to help with the cost of living crisis.

Enfield Council services

The council’s Welfare and Debt Advisory Team helps residents maximise their income and get their full benefit entitlement.

Foodbanks and pantries – organisations that provide residents with low-cost or free food.

Community support at local libraries – Enfield’s 17 libraries provide safe and warm spaces to access a range community support.

Community hubs – a face-to-face service to connect residents with support, including help with managing money, jobs and skills, health and wellbeing, and housing advice.

Enfield Council also has an extensive Cost of Living resource page.

Mental health and wellbeing

Sanctuary in Enfield is a short-term crisis intervention and prevention service for local residents aged over 18. It’s open every day of the year, 5pm-10pm on weekdays and 12-5pm at weekends.

The Caribbean and African Health Network offers free online and telephone counselling to anyone from an African or Caribbean background.

Enfield Women’s Centre offers free support and advice services including counselling, open to all women aged over 16.

Samaritans offers a listening ear to anyone, whatever they are going through, and is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Enfield Wellbeing Network offers a free support programme to help residents achieve their longer-term health and wellbeing goals.

Independent support services and resources

Worrying About Money? Enfield has downloadable leaflets in seven languages with an overview of local debt advice and related support services.

Citizens Advice Enfield offers free, independent advice to Enfield residents on benefits, housing and debt. Its website is available in English, Turkish, Polish, Bulgarian and Romanian.

Warm Welcome Spaces includes a map so you can find your nearest warm space, where residents can feel part of the community and make new friends.

All People All Places run a day centre service at Pymmes Park Visitor Centre, offering housing advice, support and advocacy for rough sleepers and those at risk of homelessness in Enfield. It is open to both drop-ins and referrals.

Enfield Law Centre offers free legal advice on housing, welfare benefits, employment law, debt and immigration.

HEET and energy and money saving service LEAP have teamed up to provide free practical help to cut fuel bills and keep homes warm and cosy.

Energy Advice London – help with saving energy and money.

This independent benefits calculator enables residents to check if they are receiving all the benefits they are entitled to.

London Capital Credit Union provides easy access to saving schemes to help people build financial resilience.

Advice for Renters offers specialist legal advice on repairs and rent arrears, money and debt advice, and energy advice.

Shelter offers advice on homelessness and housing issues, including repairs, evictions and council housing.

Children and families

Healthy Start provides help to buy milk, fruit and vegetables if you are at least 10 weeks pregnant or have a child aged under four.

Growbaby supports Enfield families with free, good-quality new and second-hand clothes and equipment for children from birth to five years old.

The Family Fund offers grants to cover essential items if your child is disabled.

Healthy, cheap food recipes

Visit the NourishEd site from UKHarvest for recipes, cook-alongs, and food-saving tips.

Check out best-selling author Jack Monroe’s website for a feast of money-saving recipes.

See the BBC Good Food website for more budget cooking ideas.