Help when you have children under the age of 5

Healthy Start Vouchers

Help with the costs of buying food and milk/infant formula. If you’re more than 10 weeks pregnant or have a child under 4, you may be entitled to get help to buy healthy food and milk. If you’re eligible, you’ll be sent a Healthy Start card with money on it that you can use in some UK shops. To find out of you're eligible visit the Healthy Start website pages here.

Homestart Slough & Burnham

Homestart is a local organisation who offer emotional & practical help to families. They are a network of trained volunteers who have been running for over 20 years. Maybe you need a shoulder to cry on or someone to talk to who won’t judge you? Whatever the reason, your volunteer will be able to offer emotional and practical support to help you find ways to manage and resolve problems.

Click here to visit their website.

Financial help when you have children

There are certain benefits you may be entitled to when you care for children. You can find out more on the governments website here. Remember to mention if you have a child with a disability, there may be additional help.

There are online benefits calculators that can help you to work out what you may be entitled to. Click here to visit one to start a calculation. It includes everything like help with rent and council tax too.

Help with school uniform costs

The first place to ask is at your child's school. Sometimes you will be surprised and they will have spare clothes that have been donated in excellent condition and also they may have a 2nd hand uniform sale. They also may have access to funds to get new items for people on low incomes.

Free School Meals

Check if your child can get free school meals in England and find out how to apply on your local authority’s website. To find out which council you live in and if you would be eligible for Free School Meals, click here.

Help with heating & utilities

Are you worried about the rising cost of utilities? Are you struggling to pay your bills? Are you finding that you cant afford to put the heating on now? See our post on what help is available. Including:

  • Warm Homes Discount
  • Winter Fuel Payment
  • Cold Weather Payment
  • Grants from energy companies and more.

Click here to visit the post.

The Samaritans are available to talk 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. You can visit their website here or call free on 116 123.