We are here for you this winter

Winter is coming. If you are struggling with the cost of living, we are here to help.

Community Spaces

We are working with our partners across the borough to provide residents with a network of Community Spaces. These are safe, friendly spaces to engage with others and in some cases share a drink or even a meal. You can find your nearest Community Space by visiting our Cost of Living Directory 

Warm Home Packs

We are continuing to offer free Warm Home Packs for residents who need help to keep their homes warm and reduce their energy bills. To be eligible to receive a Warm Home Pack, your household income must not exceed £40,000, and your property must have an EPC rating of D or below. Warm Home Packs are estimated to save households around £200 a year on their household bills. Each pack contains LED light bulbs, radiator foil and draught-excluding tape that can be used for your doors and windows. You can pick up a Warm Home Pack from the reception at the Civic Centre in Twickenham or at one of our energy café events which will be held in Ham, Twickenham, Castlenau and East Sheen in December. 

Anyone from an eligible household can receive a home visit from our partners at SW Leap, who will be able to suggest tailor-made energy-saving solutions for their home intended to further reduce their bills and help to keep them warm this winter. You can email SW Leap to find out about what kinds of support is available or to request a home visit.

Winter Warmth Home Service

Contact our partners at Thinking Works for help keeping warm and well this winter. The service is free for people who have low incomes and young children, are over 65 or who have a long-term health condition or disability. 

Food support

Richmond residents can access a variety of food support services across the borough from Richmond Food Bank, which operates across seven sites in the borough and requires a food voucher to Food for Thought Heathfield’s surplus food stall and the pay-as-you-feel surplus cafés operated by the Real Junk Food Project. You can also find details of local cooking classes provided by Cooking Up and free or low-cost community lunches. You can find full details on the Richmond's Food Partnership Network handy leaflet.

Check what you’re entitled to 

Make sure you claim all the support you are entitled to. Our support calculator will help you find out what help you may be entitled to. The calculator is free to use, and the details you provide are anonymous. This winter, we will also be offering £100 to all pensioners who receive a Council Tax Reduction, but do not qualify for winter fuel payments under the Pension Credit scheme. Find out more about the winter fuel support we are providing.

Additional support

Visit our Cost of Living Hub for the latest information on what is available nationally and locally. You can also sign up to receive cost of living support updates straight to your inbox.