Support with the cost of living
The rising cost of living means more people are struggling to afford everyday essentials such as food, clothing, and energy. Support is available to help reduce your costs.
Food support services
BFCitC Foodbank
Emergency food parcels (1 per month) providing 3 days of essentials. Contact to see if you are eligible for support: 01282 686402 | contact@burnleytogether.org.uk
Community Grocery at Down Town and Valley Street – Save on Your Weekly Shop
Membership: just £5 a year.
Shop from £5–£12.50 for bakery items, fresh produce, cupboard staples, chilled goods, and essentials.
01282 901522 | communitygrocery.org.uk
Down Town Cookery School
Hands-on cooking courses and workshops with affordable, practical recipes.
Learn to cook on a budget, batch cook, and make easy slow cooker dishes.
01282 686402 | contact@burnleytogether.org.uk
Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) Programme
Children eligible for benefits-related free school meals can get a place on the HAF Holiday Activities and Food programme, funded by the Department for Education. This provides free meals and activities during school holidays: 1 week at Easter, 4 weeks in Summer, and 1 week at Christmas.
Ask your child’s school for more information and look out for your HAF code from hello@holidays to book a place.
Other Food Help
- Free school meals: Your child may be able to get free school meals if you receive certain benefits.
- Healthy Start scheme: If you’re more than 10 weeks pregnant or have a child under four, you may be eligible for help with the cost of milk and healthy foods through the Healthy Start scheme. Worth £34 a month for your baby’s first year, and £17 a month until age four.
- Household Support Fund: You may be able to get help with food and energy costs through Household Support Fund.
Clothing essentials
Relove the Preloved
Affordable. Sustainable. Local.
Browse our Relove the Preloved shop for:
– Activewear to get moving in spring
– Winter warmers to keep you cosy
– School uniforms – available all year round!
All available for a small donation — help your wallet and the planet!
Got clean, wearable items to donate? Drop them off at Down Town and support your community.
Open Monday–Friday, 9am–4pm
Get in touch: 01282 686402
Help with Keeping You and Your Home Warm
Lancashire Women’s Free Energy Advice
A Lancashire-wide service offering free support to help you stay warm and reduce energy bills. Open to women, families, and vulnerable people.
Support includes:
- Energy-saving tips and personalised plans
- Home visits with simple improvements (such as bulbs and draught excluders)
- Help with grant applications and income checks
- Access to the Household Support Fund
The Energy Advice team can meet you at centres in Burnley or in your own home.
FREE Energy Advice To Reduce Your Bills This Winter
More energy support
Burnley council offers a range of financial and other assistance to improve the standards of housing and the quality of life for qualifying residents to help to make your home warmer and safer.
Cosy Homes in Lancashire (CHiL) – a one-stop shop for warmer homes, including grants for first-time central heating and insulation installation where eligible.
Household Support Fund: You may be able to get support with your energy bills through the Household Support Fund