Living costs, food and essentials

School uniform swap shops

Shops, businesses and community venues have signed up to become a swap shop to receive second hand school uniform donations for schools within the local area.

While locations a no longer accepting donations at the moment, you can vist Newmarket Coalville and pick up a range of items.

For more information about the initiative, email helen.crouch@nwleicestershire.gov.uk

Food banks

A number of food banks operate across the district. The Trussell Trust runs the Ashby and Coalville food banks that also visit surrounding areas. Contact our customer service team on 01530 454545 to discuss a referral, speak to Citizens Advice or your GP.

Community Fridges

The Coalville Children and Family Welfare Centre is home to the Coalville Community Fridge, which saves food from being wasted and provides it for free to anyone who needs or wants it. Find out more. 

Plenty 2 Cook social supermarket

The MRC Plenty 2 Cook social supermarket runs 8.45am – 10.45am on  Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, and 4.30pm – 6.30pm  on Thursdays, offering cooking demonstrations, affordable food and a community cafe.

Love food, hate waste

The Love Food Hate Waste programme from WRAP has lots of delicious recipes to use up leftovers, handy hints and tips for storing food to make it last longer, a portion calculator to help you cook the right amount, and information on what food labels mean.

The Leicestershire Waste Partnership runs Less Waste, to reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill. The site includes advice on reducing food waste, making meals stretch and meal planning.

Budgeting Advance or Budgeting Loans

You may be able to claim a budgeting loan, or budgeting advance if you have been on certain benefits or Universal Credit for six months. The lowest amount you can borrow is £100 and the amount you get depends on your circumstances. You only have to pay back the amount you borrow, repayments are automatically taken from benefits.

Reducing energy bills

Household items 

The district is home to a wealth of charity shops, including the Marlene Reid Centre (MRC) furniture warehouses. Many of these shops sell second-hand furniture and tested appliances to help furnish your home for less.

Leicestershire Welfare provision - we're working with Leicestershire County Council and Charity Link to provide essential homes to those in need including furniture, closing, kitchen appliances and medical equipment. Applications can be made through Citizens Advice or call the Goods Depot on 0116 2874971 or email info@thegoodsdepot.org.uk.

Cheaper mobile phone and internet services

Many mobile phone and broadband providers offer social tariffs to help people struggling to afford their services. 

Warm welcome spaces

Ashby de la Zouch

Ashby de la Zouch Town Council, Legion House, LE65 1BQ. Monday to Friday, 9am to 1pm.

Castle Donington

Castle Donington Community Hub, DE74 2NR. Monday to Friday, 10am to 5pm.

Coalville

Coalville C.A.N, LE67 3TU. Thursday to Saturday, 10am to 4pm.

Ebenezer Baptist Church, LE67 3LF. Wednesday 10am to 4pm. Friday 10am to 2pm.

George Smith Hub LE67 3EP. Monday to Friday 10am to 4pm.

Marlene Reid Centre, LE67 3PH. Wednesday 6pm to 9pm.

Ellistown

Ellistown Wesleyan Reform Church, LE67 5DL. Wednesday 10.30am to 1pm. Last Saturday of the month 10am to 12pm. Second and fourth Sunday of the month 10.30am onwards. 

Ibstock

Ibstock Methodist Church, LE67 6JS. Thursday, 9.30am to 12pm.

Palace Community Centre, LE67 6LG. Wednesday, 1pm to 4pm.

Kegworth

Kegworth Baptist Church, DE74 2DA. Monday 2pm to 4pm, Friday 10am to 12pm and Sunday 10am to 12pm.

Kegworth Community Library, DE74 2DA. Tuesday to Thursday 2pm to 4pm. Friday 2pm to 6pm and Saturday 10am to 12pm.

Measham

Measham and District Community Library, DE12 7HR. Tuesday 10am to 7pm, Thursday 10am to 1pm, Friday 10am to 5pm and Saturday 10am to 1pm.

Age UK, DE12 7HZ. Monday to Saturday, 10am to 12pm.

Measham Baptist Church, DE12 7JD. Thursday 1pm to 3pm and Friday 9am to 10.30am.

Measham Leisure Centre, DE12 7HR. Monday to Thursday, 12pm to 5.30pm.

Newton Burgoland

Belper Arms, LE67 2SE. Second Tuesday of the month, 10am to 12pm.

Oaks in Charnwood

Oaks Storer Hall, St James the Greater Church, LE12 9YD. Tuesday, 2pm to 4pm.

Thringstone

Charles Booth Centre, LE67 8NR. Monday, Wednesday and Thursday, 10am to 1pm.

If you can't find a warm and welcoming space near you listed above, you can also find free spaces across the district and beyond at www.warmwelcome.uk/#find-a-space.