With the impact of the cost of living crisis being felt everywhere, we are committed to supporting individuals and families across our local community through these uncertain and challenging times. On this page, you can access a wide range of information, advice and guidance on support services, organisations and programmes that are here to help you navigate these current financial pressures.
Armagh Food Bank
Provides support to families following a referral from GP / Social Worker etc.
Mobile: 077 5268 0805
Email:
Normal opening times 10.30am-12.30pm Tuesdays and Saturdays.
Please note Christmas & New Year arrangements: closed Monday 25 December and reopens Saturday 6 January. Emails and voicemails will be monitored for emergencies.
Banbridge Food Bank
Provides support to families following a direct request.
Email:
Facebook: facebook.com/StorehouseBanbridgeFoodbank/
Emails are monitored Monday-Friday.
Please note Christmas & New Year arrangements: Grace Generation will be open Thursday 21 December, 7pm-8pm; closed Tuesday 26 December; open Thursday 28 December; and reopens for normal arrangements from Tuesday 2 January.
Craigavon Food Bank
Provides support to families following a referral from GP / Social Worker etc.
Tel: 0333 050 7702
Email:
Phone line is monitored Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm.
Please note Christmas & New Year arrangements: closed from Friday 22 December and reopens Tuesday 2 January. Emails and voicemail will be monitored for emergencies.
Dromore Food Bank
Provides support to families following a direct request.
M: 079 4678 3279
Email:
Web: www.viawings.co.uk
Facebook: facebook.com/ViaWingsDromore
Please note Christmas & New Year arrangements: closed from Friday 22 December and reopens Tuesday 2 January.
The Society of St Vincent de Paul
Offer direct, personal assistance that is non-judgmental and based on the need of the individual or family.
Tel: 028 9035 1561
Web: www.svp.ie/requesthelp
Salvation Army
Provides help and support to those in need, offering emergency support, foodbank assistance and more.
76-82 Union Street,
Lurgan
BT66 8ED
Tel: 028 3832 3222
Mob: 07942 614738
National Energy Action
Find out about grants that may be available to help with insulation and heating improvements in your home.
Tel: 028 9023 9909
Web: www.nea.org.uk
Power NI
Find out about what help, and support is available to help you manage your energy bills and more.
Tel: 03457 455 455
Web: http://powerni.co.uk
Web: https://powerni.co.uk/help/customer-support/further-support-and-advice
Web: https://powerni.co.uk/help/customer-support/im-struggling-to-pay-what-should-i-do
Bryson Energy
Provides advice to householders on saving energy in your home and information on any funding grants available (within Northern Ireland) on ways to keep your home warm (for example, loft installation).
Web: www.brysonenergy.org
NI Energy Advice
Offers free independent and impartial energy advice to domestic householders in Northern Ireland – including advice about energy grants and other sources of help.
Tel: 0800 1114455
Email: /">
Web: https://www.nihe.gov.uk/Community/NI-Energy-Advice
Phoenix Natural Gas
Based on income, Phoenix Natural Gas can offer a Boiler Replacement Allowance, which aims to help with the cost of replacing your old, inefficient boiler that is over 15 years old.
Tel: 08454 555555
Web: http://phoenixnaturalgas.com
Energy Wise
Provides tips and advice to help you control what energy you use and control what it costs.
Web: https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/campaigns/energy-wise
Housing Executive Boiler Replacement Allowance
Based on income and owning your own home, the Housing Executive can offer a Boiler Replacement Allowance, which aims to help with the cost of replacing your old, inefficient boiler that is over 15 years old.
Tel: 0344 892 0900
Web: https://www.nihe.gov.uk/Housing-Help/Affordable-Warmth-Boiler-Replacement/Boiler-replacement-Scheme
Winter Fuel Payment
If you are aged 60 or over you may get a Winter Fuel Payment to help pay for keeping warm in winter. The Winter Fuel Payment is tax-free and paid yearly to eligible older people.
Web: www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/winter-fuel-payment
Cold Weather Payment
If you’re receiving certain benefits, you could qualify for extra money for each week there is very cold weather in your area.
Web: www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/cold-weather-payment
Affordable Warmth Scheme
To find out more on this Scheme click here.
Keep Cosy Scheme
Open to all householders in the borough, the scheme is designed to help those who use central heating oil to budget and save to buy oil.
Web: https://www.armaghbanbridgecraigavon.gov.uk/download/3477/keep-cosy/16943/keep-cosy-leaflet.pdf
Community Advice Armagh
Offers borough residents free, independent, confidential, and impartial advice, advocacy, and information.
9 McCrum’s Court
Armagh.
BT61 7RS
Tel: 0330 135 9733
Email:
Open Monday – Friday, 9.30am-3.30pm.
Please note Christmas & New Year arrangements: office closes Friday 22 December at 2pm and reopens Tuesday 2 January.
Community Advice Banbridge
Offers borough residents free, independent, confidential, and impartial advice, advocacy, and information.
The Old Town Hall,
1 Scarva Street,
BT32 3DA
Tel: 0330 135 9733
Email:
Open Monday-Friday, 9.30am-4pm.
Please note Christmas & New Year arrangements: office closes Friday 22 December at 2pm and reopens Tuesday 2 January.
Community Advice Craigavon
Offers borough residents free, independent, confidential, and impartial advice, advocacy, and information.
Lurgan Office
The Annex,
Lurgan Town Hall,
BT66 8DY
Tel: 0330 135 9733
Email:
Open Monday-Thursday, 9am-5pm and Friday, 9am-4pm.
Please note Christmas & New Year arrangements: office closes Friday 22 December at 2pm and reopens Tuesday 2 January.
Portadown Office
Portadown Health Centre,
Tavanagh Avenue,
Portadown
BT62 3BU
Tel: 0330 135 9733
Email:
Open Monday-Thursday, 9am-5pm and Friday, 9am-4pm.
Please note Christmas & New Year arrangements: office closes Friday 22 December at 2pm and reopens Tuesday 2 January.
Make the Call
Assists with making sure individuals and households are getting all the benefits, services and supports they are entitled to.
Tel: 0800 232 1271
Web: www.nidirect.gov.uk/makethecall
COST OF LIVING FINANCE SURVIVAL KIT
Warm Hub Scheme
Following a successful pilot scheme last year, Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council are once again running the Warm Hub Scheme to help keep residents connected, warm and safe during the winter months.
Every Tuesday and Thursday throughout December, January and February, the Warm Hub Scheme will run in Portadown Town Hall and the Tommy Makem Arts & Community Centre, Keady between 10am and 1pm.
These Warm Hubs are open to everyone and offer the chance for local residents to drop in and enjoy a hot drink, have a chat, connect to Wi-Fi or read the paper in a warm and safe environment.
Warm Hub dates:
- 7th, 12th. 14th, 19th. 21stDecember 2023
- 2nd, 4th, 9th, 11th, 16th, 18th, 23rd, 25th, 30thJan 2024
- 1st, 6th, 8th, 13th, 15th, 20th, 22nd, 27th, 29thFeb 2024
To find out more contact the Community Development Team on 0300 0300 900.
Supporting your wellbeing this winter
With the colder weather and darker evenings, the winter period often increases loneliness and social isolation. Our community centres run an extensive schedule of classes and activities aimed at helping people connect all year round. Catering for the young and old and supporting physical and mental wellbeing, there is something for everyone.
Explore what’s on in your local community centre this winter, by contacting us on
Please note, prices to attend these activities may vary.
Borough wide support
Children & Young People’s Strategic Partnership (CYPSP) has collated a guide of support for families and children struggling with the current cost of living crisis. Access support services and programmes across the region here: https://cypsp.hscni.net/download/390/lpg/39049/cost-of-living-crisis-resource.pdf.
Are you part of a community group delivering a programme or project that aims to support local people through the cost of living crisis? CYPSP can help promote this for you.
Please complete this form and return to Valerie Maxwell on .
The Society of St Vincent de Paul
Offers direct, personal assistance that is non-judgmental and based on the need of the individual or family.
Tel: 028 9035 1561
Web: www.svp.ie/requesthelp
Please note Christmas & New Year arrangements: The Society of St Vincent de Paul has volunteers ready to respond to crisis emergencies throughout the Christmas holiday season. Local helpline numbers are listed below.
- Aghagallon (St Patrick): 07745785181 / 07810036763
- Armagh (St Patrick): 07733482604
- Craigavon (St Anthony): 07919496053
- Keady (St Patrick): 07738838078
- Lurgan (St Peter & St Paul): 02838325725
- Magheralin (St John XXIII): 07921876225
- Portadown (St Patrick): 07300789519
- Seagoe (Holy Family): 07827770304
- Tullysaran (St Mary): 07738838035
- Whitecross (St John Paul II): 07561011117
- St Patrick Banbridge: 028 4066 2047
- St Colman Dromore: 07738838187
Salvation Army
Provides help and support to those in need, offering emergency support, foodbank assistance and more.
76-82 Union Street,
Lurgan
BT66 8ED
Tel: 028 3832 3222
Mob: 07942 614738
Please note Christmas & New Year arrangements: The Salvation Army can help in emergency crisis during the Christmas holiday season. Messages will be monitored via the Salvation Army Helpline: 07942 614738.
ABC Community Advice Offices
Our Community Advice Offices based in Armagh, Banbridge, Craigavon and Portadown offer borough residents free, independent, confidential, and impartial advice, advocacy, and information.
Please note Christmas & New Year arrangements: offices close Friday 22 December at 2pm and reopen Tuesday 2 January.
Cost of Living Information & Advice – NI Direct
Provides information and advice to help with energy costs, income, housing and more.
Web: https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/campaigns/cost-living
Health and Wellbeing Directory
armaghbanbridgecraigavon.gov.uk/health-wellbeing-directory