Peterborough and Cambridgeshire Services

Community support

Support available in your community

What Community Support is on offer?

Cost of Living Support Hubs are a place where residents who are struggling with the cost of living can go for help.

The hubs are hosted in local community spaces and are located across the city for easy access.

Hubs may vary in terms of what support they can offer, so you will need to read each hub’s webpage or contact them directly to find out their specific offer.

Find details of the Cost of Living Support Hubs on our Peterborough Information Network site.

Cost of Living Support Hubs in Peterborough

 

Household Support Fund (Referrals)

The Household Support Fund is for anyone who is struggling with the cost of living and paying for essentials. Through the fund, you may be able to get help with food, energy bills, and essential items, as well as information and advice on debt, benefits, and employment.

Peterborough City Council Residents: https://www.peterborough.gov.uk/council/benefits/household-support-fund

Cambridgeshire County Council Residents: https://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/council/communities/support-with-the-cost-of-living/household-support-fund

Crisis Support (Referrals)

We aim to support vulnerable children, young people, and families to meet their immediate crisis needs which cannot be met anywhere else.

We are fortunate to receive donations and other charitable referral routes so that we can help with such things as:

  • Access to safe and working appliances 

  • Access to warm spaces 

  • Prevention of hunger 

  • Access to suitable clothing 

  • Access to furniture 

The Food Basket (Free Food – no referrals needed)

The Food Basket is a community fridge providing free, fresh, surplus food to communities. The Food Basket is open to all, and you do not need a referral or voucher to access this service, just come along to your chosen session and bring a bag.

Due to how we receive our food we cannot guarantee what we will have but, in general, it is a mix of fresh fruit and vegetables from farms and supermarkets and bakery goods such as bread and cakes. This can help with food costs and stop food going to waste: good for your pocket and the environment!

Our location and opening times

We’re open from 2pm-4pm

Monday - Orton Child and Family Centre, Herlington, Orton Malborne, PE2 5PW - Stagecoach route 1
Wednesday - East Child and Family Centre, Durham Road, Eastfield, PE1 5JU - Stagecoach route 4
Thursday - First Steps Child and Family Centre, Scalford Drive, Welland, PE1 4TR - Stagecoach route 5A

For more details contact Katy on 07751645513 and follow us on Facebook www.facebook.com/PeterboroughFoodBasket

The Trussell Trust Foodbank (Foodbank Vouchers)

We don’t think anyone in our community should have to face going hungry. That’s why we provide three days’ nutritionally balanced emergency food and support to local people who are referred to us in crisis. We are part of a nationwide network of foodbanks, supported by The Trussell Trust, working to combat poverty and hunger across the UK.

Website: https://peterborough.foodbank.org.uk/

Contact: https://peterborough.foodbank.org.uk/contact-us/

If you and your family are experiencing a food crisis and you want to be referred to Peterborough Foodbank, please complete our referral form.

Christmas Gifts (Donations and Professional referrals)

For professional referral only

Professionals should only refer a child for gifts if:

  • the family live within the boundaries of Peterborough City Council and South Fenland District Council;

  • the professional knows and is currently working with the child;

  • the child is known to be living in need and there are no other opportunities for the child to receive gifts.

Referrals are accepted at the end of October, please email [email protected]

Christmas Food Hampers (Professional referrals)

For professional referral only

Professionals should only refer a family for a Christmas food hamper if:

  • the family live within the boundaries of Peterborough City Council and South Fenland District Council;

  • the professional knows and is currently working with the family;

  • the family are known to be living in need and there are no opportunities for the family to access other funds.

Referrals are accepted at the end of October, please email [email protected]

 

 

Community Cafés

Our community cafe’s offer low-cost, hot meals and refreshments to all members of the local community. Everyone is welcome.

Adult’s meals range from £1 to £1.50; and children’s meals for 50p.

Hazel preparing potatoes

The Honeypot Café

Address: Honeyhill Child and Family centre, Honeyhill, Paston, Peterborough, PE4 7DR (Stagecoach route 2)

Opening hours: 11.30am-1.30pm (last orders at 1.00pm)

For more information call Katy 07751645513 or Sherrie 07808516764

James, Kathy and Sherrie

The Buttercup Café

Address: First steps Child and Family Centre, 20 Scalford Drive, Welland, Peterborough, PE1 4TR

Opening hours: 12pm-2pm (last orders at 1.30pm)

For more information call James: 07756 228386 or Sherrie: 07808 516764

 

 

Get support

Explore our services

We offer a varied timetable of activities, as well as one-to-one support and advice on a range of topics. We can also signpost you to specialist organisations that may be able to help,

Find your local Child and Family Centres

We run several Child and Family Centres across Peterborough and South Fenland. At each Centre, we offer support for children, young people, and families.

Make a referral to get support

If you would like support from one of our services, please complete our referral form.

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