Energy Price Guarantee

From 1 July 2023, households without a pre-payment meter no longer receive an Energy Price Guarantee discount on their gas and electricity bills.

This is because the Ofgem price cap is lower than the Energy Price Guarantee level, meaning households will pay rates capped by the price cap. The Energy Price Guarantee will remain in place as a safety net until the end of March 2024.

From 1 October 2023 onwards there is a change in how the discount is delivered for households with a pre-payment meter. Instead of being delivered via a discount to unit rates, it is delivered via a discount to the standing charges. This ensures low usage customers are fully supported by the Energy Price Guarantee.

www.gov.uk/government/publications/energy-bills-support/energy-bills-support-factsheet-8-september-2022

Warm Home Discount Scheme 

Some households with a low income and high energy costs will receive £150 off electricity bills for winter 2023 to 2024 under the Warm Home Discount Scheme. This is a one-off discount applied to your electricity bill between early October 2023 and 31 March 2024. You’ll usually get the discount automatically if you’re eligible. If you might be eligible, you’ll get a letter by early January 2024. www.gov.uk/the-warm-home-discount-scheme

British Gas Energy Trust is an independent charity funded by British Gas to help British Gas customers and customers of other suppliers (which don’t have their own scheme) with arrears up to £1,500.

www.britishgasenergytrust.org.uk

Citizens Advice offers free, confidential and impartial advice on a range of topics, including energy. They can help with things like: how to switch supplier; what to do if you’re struggling to pay your bills or are in debt; saving money on your energy bills; advice on other areas including benefits problems, debt and money. Tel: 0808 223 1133
Textphone: 118001 / 0808 223 1133 (Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm).

www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/energy/energy-supply

www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/energy/energy-supply/get-help-paying-your-bills/grants-and-benefits-to-help-you-pay-your-energy-bills

Green Doctor – this service is part of GroundWork and runs across the North East and Yorkshire. Eligibility applies for free home visits to access advice on issues with energy suppliers including billing, debt, meter connection and access to emergency top ups for those on a pre-paid meter whilst isolated, emergency broken heating/ hot water/ gas appliances and much more. T. 0113 238 0601
E. greendoctorleeds@groundwork.org.uk

www.groundwork.org.uk/greendoctor/

LEAP Local Energy Advice Partnership. This is a free service that is helping people keep warm and reduce their energy bills without costing them any money. T. 0800 060 7567
www.applyforleap.org.uk

Money Helper brings together the support and services of three government-backed financial guidance providers: the Money Advice Service, the Pensions Advisory and Pension Wise. It can offer support and advice over the phone and online. There are useful tools available on the website such as a benefits calculator, a Money Midlife MOT, a Budget Planner. T. 0800 138 7777

www.moneyhelper.org.uk

NEA National Energy Action is a charity working to end fuel poverty. If you or someone you know can’t afford to heat their home they offer a range of advice and support both directly to people in need, and via frontline workers and other intermediaries. T. 0800 304 7159
www.nea.org.uk

Scope Disability Energy Support offers free energy and water advice to disabled people, helping them to manage their energy and water needs. The service is open to: any disabled person or households where 1 or more disabled people live, and those households are in England or Wales. There is a high demand for telephone appointments. New appointments are being released each week. Scope has language interpreters and British Sign Language interpreters too. T.0808 801 0828
www.scope.org.uk/disability-energy-support/

Bradford Household Support Fund – the UK Government has provided Household Support Funding to local authorities for the period 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024. Bradford Council will be distributing the money to those in need of support through local voluntary organisations. Contact Carers’ Resource for further information.

www.bradford.gov.uk/benefits/applying-for-benefits/household-costs/

Warm Homes Healthy People Bradford offers free independent energy advice for those living in the Bradford District.  T. 0808 168 3547

www.groundwork.org.uk/projects/warm-homes-healthy-people/

North Yorkshire Household Support Fund – residents who are eligible for the fund will have received a letter with a code and instructions on how to claim the vouchers of their choice. They must select their e-vouchers by 24 October 2023. Everyone who is eligible will receive a letter by 22 September 2023.
www.northyorks.gov.uk/benefits/household-support-fund

Warm and Well North Yorkshire offers help with high energy bills, switching to cheaper energy suppliers and advice on keeping warm in the home. T. 01609 767 555
www.cany.org.uk/warmandwell/

Help Through Hardship Helpline is a joint nationwide programme developed by the Trussell Trust and the Citizen’s Advice Bureau. It allows any person needing food to request a parcel from a local foodbank, via an advisor. The service can also advise on benefits you may be entitled to, guide you through any claims, and help you with emergency issues. Lines are open Monday to Friday from 09:00 – 17:00.
T. 0808 2082138
www.trusselltrust.org/get-help/help-through-hardship-helpline/

Bradford Foodbanks

There are a number of foodbanks in Bradford District – most areas in the city have access to at least one. These can be searched via the Bradford Foodbanks website at
www.bradfordfoodbanks.org.uk/foodbanks/

Opening times, eligibility and delivery or collection points differ between foodbanks, as do referral routes. Some accept self-referrals, but most require a partner agency such as Carers’ Resource or the Citizen’s Advice Bureau to refer. Please check the referral method for the foodbank closest to you, then either refer yourself, or ask an agency to refer you.

Harrogate Foodbanks

The main foodbank provider in Harrogate is the Harrogate District Foodbank, at The Life Destiny Church, 93B High Street, Starbeck, Harrogate HG2 7LH.
E. info@harrogatedistrict.foodbank.org.uk
T. 07885 529864
https://harrogatedistrict.foodbank.org.uk/

This foodbank is part of the Trussell Trust network, so referrals should be made through a partner agency such as Carers’ Resource. The service has a number of collection sites, and you will be advised of where to collect your parcel during the referral.

Ripon Food Support

www.riponcommunityhouse.co.uk/food-support-ripon-boroughbridge/

This service provides emergency food parcels to people in crisis in Ripon, Boroughbridge and the surrounding villages. Referrals may be made by your GP, church minister, school, social worker, health visitor or a voluntary sector organisation such as Carers’ Resource.

Other independent foodbanks in Harrogate will have different referral methods. Many of those in Harrogate are listed in the Community Food Provision leaflet, available from Harrogate and District Community Action:
hadca.org.uk/sites/default/files/2023-CommunityFoodProvision-A5leaflet.pdf

Please contact each foodbank individually to get advice on how to refer to them.

Craven Foodbanks

The main foodbank provider for the Skipton area is the Skipton Foodbank, at Skipton Baptist Church, 43 – 45 Otley St, Skipton BD23 1ET
www.skiptonfoodbank.org/
It is part of the Trussell Trust network of foodbanks, and so referrals can be made via a partner agency, including Carers’ Resource.

The Craven area also has a number of Community Fridge and Pantry projects, which can provide emergency food. Details of these are listed in the ‘Social Supermarkets, Community Kitchens and Other Support’ section of this page, below.

Selby Foodbanks

The main foodbank provider for Selby is the Selby and District Foodbank, at 1811 Building, New Lane, Selby YO8 4QP
E. info@selby.foodbank.org.uk
https://selbydistrict.foodbank.org.uk/

As part of the Trussell Trust network, referrals should be made through a partner organisation such as Carers’ Resource or the Citizen’s Advice Bureau.

There are a number of community initiatives aimed at providing free or cheap food to the community. Many schemes are membership-based, often via a subscription, and will offer provisions for greatly reduced cost.

Bradford Community Support

Most Social Supermarket and Community Kitchen provision in the district is listed on the Bradford Foodbanks website, on their specific ‘Markets’ page
www.bradfordfoodbanks.org.uk/category/market/
Use the search tool to specify the type of provision you need – foodbank or market – and your postcode, and the tool will find the nearest service to you.

Additional services not listed on the Bradford Foodbanks website include:

Bradford Community Kitchen
www.bck.org.uk/community-kitchen/

The service operates a Community Kitchen on Sundays, between 15:00 – 17:00, serving hot meals, puddings and drinks.

Community Shop Bradford
A. Weaverthorpe Park, Unit C Tong St, Weaverthorpe Rd, Bradford BD4 9RQ
T. 01274 020176
A social supermarket on the Avenue Retail Park at Tong Street. Note that it’s a membership service, and you must sign up before you can use it. The site also hosts a Community Hub, which provides members with access to personal development support. Sessions include everything from cookery clubs and home budgeting to interview skills and business courses.

FoodCycle
www.foodcycle.org.uk/
This is a national charity that set up a community cafe in Eccleshill. The meals are available on Thursdays from 18:30, at the Rockwell Centre, Thorpe Edge, BD10 8DP. It requires no referral nor voucher – people can simply turn up to the venue.

Craven Community Support

Bentham Community Pantry and Fridge
Open Wednesdays 11:00 – 12:00 and 16:00 – 18:00

The Methodist Chapel, Station Rd, High Bentham, LA2 7LF

E. MarciePotts@hotmail.com

Hellifield Community Pantry and Fridge

Open on Fridays 14:00 – 15:00

A. Methodist Church, Haw Grove, Hellifield, North Yorkshire BD23 4JA

M. 07931 511 652

Ingleton Community Pantry and Fridge
Open Saturdays 11am – 12noon
A. St Mary’s Church, Main Street, Ingleton, LA6 3EB

E. kellyrobinson2106@gmail.com

Skipton Selfa Community Fridge
Open every Wednesday, 11:30 – 13:00
A. Ings CP School, Broughton Road, Skipton, BD23 1TE
E. community.fridge@selfa.org.uk
T. 01756 533110

Settle Pop Up Pantry
Open Fridays 11:00 – 12:00
A. Church of the Ascension, Settle, North Yorkshire BD24 9JA
T. 01729 825955

Harrogate Community Support

Most provision in the Harrogate district can be found in the Community Food Provision leaflet, available from Harrogate and District Community Action:
hadca.org.uk/sites/default/files/2023-CommunityFoodProvision-A5leaflet.pdf

Waste Not Wednesdays is a service from Ripon Community House, offering up to 8 items of food for a fee of £3 per basket. The project is open every Wednesday 12.00 – 14:00.
A. Ripon Community House, 75 Allhallowgate Ripon, North Yorkshire HG4 1LE
T. 01765 603631

Selby Community Support

Selby Community Fridge
The community can donate, collect or exchange surplus perishable food. The project aims to both reduce food waste and provide a communal space where locals can share food, support, skills, recipes and more. The service doesn’t need a referral, and anyone is welcome to use it.
Open Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays 14:00 – 17:00.
A. Community House, Portholme Road, Selby, YO8 4QQ
www.neighbourly.com/project/5ffc729aed512cc92fcff0c1

Yorkshire Area Clothing Bank

The Clothing Bank provides free clothing and footwear packages to those who need it.

M.   07949 591852 (Emergency Support Line)

E. info@theclothingbank.org.uk

Harrogate Clothing Bank offers free pre-loved clothes and shoes to anyone in need. Open every Wednesdays and second Saturday of the month. T. 01423 589148
www.harrogateclothesbank.co.uk

The Village Harrogate is a baby bank, children’s clothing bank and uniform swap shop providing free essentials needs for new mums, families and children of all ages across Harrogate and North Yorkshire. Enquiries are made via the online form on their website or via their Facebook page.
www.thevillageharrogate.co.uk

Bradford Baby Bank is a small community organisation providing essential items to babies and children under 5 in Bradford, England. Families do not need to meet specific criteria.
E. bradfordbabybank@gmail.com or contact via their Facebook page.
www.bradfordbabybank.com

The Hive Uniform Shop is a volunteer second hand uniform shop run on behalf of The Hive Silsden. The Uniform Shop also have a Facebook page. T. 01274 407279
www.thehivesilsden.co.uk

Shine West Bowling Children’s Clothing Bank provides children in West Bowling with clothes, school uniforms, book bags and shoes. Referral needed. T. 01274 738490

www.shinewestbowling.org.uk

Shipley School Uniform Bank is open in term time on Wednesdays 1.30-4.40pm and Fridays 9.30am-2.30pm. As well as uniform they also have plenty of coats, hats, gloves & scarves.
E. shipleyareasub@gmail.com     www.facebook.com/Uniformbankship/