Community Support Page
Supporting childrens emotional well-being is essential to the values and ethos of the Goldstone community. We thought it would be helpful to put together a page of useful links to resources and services that can be accessed if you need them.
If you have any concerns or queries, please don’t hesitate to drop us an email at admin@goldstone.brighton-hove.sch.uk or call us on 01273 077110
We know that the long term impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and the recent 'Cost of Living Crisis' have been very difficult for everyone. Whether you have lost a loved one or are struggling financially or emotionally, we want all of our families to know that we are here to help. We can assist in applying for financial aid, finding wellbeing support or just for some reassurance around your child’s academic and/or emotional progress. Please do not hesitate in contacting the school, Anne Gibbs (head) or our SENCO/Assistant head- Marg Gibbs
Free Help For Fuel Poverty And Other Essential Costs – A wide range of support is available in Brighton & Hove this winter to help residents struggling with fuel bills and other essential costs. Please see below for details and help the people you work with to access what is on offer while it is available:
Brighton & Hove City Council – Help with food, fuel and other essential costs
Disabled Facilities Grant
A wide range of help for older and disabled people, including a Warm Safe Homes Grant, as well as grants to help prevent falls and injury in the home and assist hospital discharge. These are all non-repayable grants with a simple application process.
To apply, contact the Disabled Facilities Grant Team at disabledfacilitiesgrant@brighton-hove.gov.uk or call 01273 294366. For more information about the range of assistance on offer go to www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/adult-social-care/care-and-support-adults/changes-your-home.
For the hospital discharge grant, contact Possability People on 01273 069851 or HDS@possabilitypeople.org.uk
Moneyworks – Small grants, fuel vouchers, debt and benefit support…
This service is provided by a partnership of community advice agencies across the city and can help with all money issues, including:
- fuel bill payments and vouchers
- debt and benefits help
- foodbank referrals
- getting a bank account
- getting online
To access the service, contact either:
- Moneyworks Adviceline on 0800 988 7037 (open Mon 1-5, Tue 9-1, Wed & Thu 12.30-4.30, and Fri 10-2)
- Citizens Advice Helpline on 08082 78 78 15 or go to https://www.cabrightonhove.org/get-advice/
Cost-of-living support
Find out what support is available to help you and your family get through the cost-of-living crisis.
Contact your local Citizens Advice Bureau or Family Hub.
Citizen’s Advice Bureau (CAB)
You don’t have to be a UK citizen to get support from your local CAB, you just need to be
a resident of the local area. The CAB can help you with:
- Getting benefits or organising other financial support
- Accessing support for essential costs (food, bills, rent)
Visit the Citizens Advice website or contact your local branch to book an appointment.
Family Hub
Contact your local Family Hub to get help accessing all the support you might need as a family. Find your local hub
Tax and benefits
Check you’re paying the right amount of tax. Make sure you’re on the right tax code. If you aren’t, you might be due a refund. Use the Money Saving Expert’s free tax code calculator to find out.
Claim any benefits you’re entitled to
Use one of these benefits calculators to determine whether there are any benefits you could be claiming:
- Policy in Practice
- Support for migrant families – use this calculator if you are a migrant family, or if you have no recourse to public funds (meaning you’re not entitled to the majority of welfare benefits)
Check you’ve received all the government’s cost-of-living payments
The government’s cost-of-living payments are available for those receiving certain benefits or tax credits. You don’t need to apply for these – if you’re eligible the money should go straight into your account.
If you think you’re due a payment but haven’t received one, report a missing payment to the government.
Be aware of scams! If you receive any emails, texts or phone calls asking you to fill in an application form or asking for your bank details to receive a cost-of-living payment, do not talk to them or send a reply. Get more information on cost-of-living scams on the Money Saving Expert’s website.
Find out what help you can get with your energy bills
Take a look at these resources from the British Gas Energy Trust and the Money Saving Expert.
Check if your child is entitled to free school meals (FSM)
If your child is eligible for FSM you need to get them registered. This will allow them to get a free meal at school and, as a school, we’ll get extra funding (known as the pupil premium) to support your child’s learning.
Go to this government website to check if your child is eligible. If they are, or if you’re not sure, please don’t hesitate to drop us an email at admin@goldstone.brighton-hove.sch.uk or on 01273 077110
Additional support information
Local authorities have many schemes that you might be eligible for, including:
- The Holiday Activities and Food Programme – access to food and activities over the school holidays. Note that if your child is eligible for free school meals (see above), they’ll also qualify for this programme
- Help with transport to school
- Help with school uniform costs
- Pre-loved uniform donations can also be accessed via The FrOGS pantry near our KS1 entrance
Get free or low-cost food
If you’re worried about not having enough food to feed your family, you’re not alone. There are
a number of places offering support.
- If you have a child under 4, and meet the eligibility criteria, you may be entitled to healthy start food vouchers
- Find your local food bank: Bankuet, The Independent Food Aid Network, the Trussell Trust, or your local community fridge
- Use food waste apps and websites like Olio (for free food and household items from your local community), Too Good To Go (for low-cost food from local restaurants), or Low Price Foods (food that has passed its best-before date, but is still safe to eat)
- Become a member of a community shop. These organisations sell food to their members at a reduced price. Some shops are free to join if you meet certain criteria, and others ask for a small contribution. Find out if there’s one near you by checking these websites: Community Shop, Your Local Pantry, Community Grocery
- Get more tips on free and cheap meals from Which
- Food donations can also be accessed via The FrOGS pantry near our KS1 entrance
Free hygiene products
- Food banks may offer free toiletries and sanitary products. Check with your local food bank to see what’s available.
- Find the cheapest disposable sanitary products on Sanitary Saver
Replace or repair household items at a low cost or for free
Check if you can get broken household goods replaced or repaired by your local community.
- Get free household goods on Freecycle
- Get help with DIY repairs at a Repair Cafe
Find a warm space to beat the chill
Some community spaces open their doors to provide a safe and warm space for a few hours. Many also offer hot drinks and WiFi.
Find a warm space on:
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Further information
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Preloved Uniform
The FrOGS (our PTA) run preloved uniform sales three times a year. Good quality, washed uniform, coats and P.E items are available to purchase for a small donation made to the FrOGS. Helping your pocket and the planet!
Pre-loved uniform donations can also be accessed via The FrOGS pantry near our KS1 entrance.
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