Introduction

The SVP’s aim is to tackle poverty in all its forms through the provision of practical assistance to those in need. In Beckenham, we are geared towards alleviating loneliness with befriending.

However, there has recently been an increase in people approaching us with more complex needs, potentially exacerbated by the pandemic. As volunteers, we are not equipped to deal with this directly.

How can we nevertheless try to help? By unlocking the potential in the community – there’s lots of support bubbling away under the surface in Beckenham and beyond. To that end, we’ve compiled a list of organisations that can help with the common issues that we observe. We’re hoping this support will Help Beckenham Recover.

Website notes / caveats:

  • This list is geared towards local organisations where possible. Non-local organisations are listed as well where applicable / necessary.
  • We regrettably can’t promise that all information will be kept up to date. It was correct as of December 2021.

If you spot any mistakes or have any suggestions for organisations that should be listed here, please email presidenta190202@svp.org.uk

 

 

HELP WITH HOUSING ISSUES

 

HOMELESSNESS

 

I don’t have anywhere to stay tonight

  • Bromley Homeless Advice Service: email sutton@bromleyhomeless.org, phone 07380 228634
  • Bromley Council emergency homelessness service: phone 0300 303 8671

I’m living on the streets

  • Street Link: phone 0300 500 0914
  • Living Well Bromley: email hello@livingwell.life, call 020 8659 8991 or visit livingwell.life

RENT

 

I’m being threatened with eviction / think I may become homeless

I can’t afford my rent

 

HELP WITH SOCIAL ISSUES

 

LONELINESS

 

I’m suffering loneliness

 

Radio Maria DAB digital radio. Patrick can provide them for free

  • How to Listen
    • Radio: You will need a DAB+ (digital radio London). For DAB+ choose: ‘Radio Maria England’ (the radio channels are in alphabetical order). For DAB: Band 11C 220.352 MHz, for Cambridgeshire and the surrounding areas.
    • Smartphone: Download the Radio Maria Play app from the Android Play Store and the Apple App
    • Computer: Please visit the website at: radiomariaengland.uk/how-to-listen-to-us
    • Podcast: Spotify, Apply Podcasts, Anchor, Overcast and RadioMariaEngland.uk

 

I want to attend a local community lunch

  • Christ Church Community lunch
  • Green Bird Cafe, St John’s Church, Eden Park

 

 

BEREAVEMENT

 

I’m suffering from bereavement

  • St Edmund’s Bereavement Support: call 07780 363750 / 020 8658 7769, email rremedios16@gmail.com
  • Christ Church Bereavement Support

 

ADDICTION

 

I’m suffering with addiction

  • Living Well Bromley: email hello@livingwell.life, call 020 8659 8991 or visit livingwell.life

 

 

ABUSE

 

I’m suffering domestic abuse and have a family

I suffered from abuse in the past

  • Grief to Grace (for victims of abuse), grieftograce.org, 020 7937 4297, info@grieftograceuk.org

 

SPECIFIC SITUATIONS

 

I’m a carer and I’m struggling

I’m a former prisoner and struggling to reintegrate into society

 

 

HELP WITH FINANCIAL ISSUES

 

FURNITURE / APPLIANCES

 

I can’t afford an essential item of furniture / large electrical appliance

 

CHILDREN

 

I can’t afford basic toys or equipment for my baby / young children

I can’t afford clothes for my children

 

YOUNG PEOPLE

 

https://www.svp.org.uk/st-vincents-brixton

(don’t think this is the new one that Patrick G mentioned in Jul-22, he described a pop-in centre in Brixton that provides occupational therapy)

 

 

BILLS / UTILITIES

 

I’m struggling to afford my utility bills

I can’t afford my council tax

 

DEBT

 

I require assistance with debt

 

EMPLOYMENT / BENEFITS

 

I’m unemployed and need help with my CV / job search

  • Living Well Bromley: email hello@livingwell.life, call 020 8659 8991 or visit livingwell.life

I need help with Universal Credit claims, welfare benefits, charitable grants, and support services

  • Citizens Advice Bromley, phone on 0808 2787 898, or visit Community House South Street, BROMLEY, Kent BR1 1RH
  • Living Well Bromley: email hello@livingwell.life, call 020 8659 8991, or visit livingwell.life
  • Turn2us: https://www.turn2us.org.uk/

I need some advice or help filling-in forms

 

FOOD

 

I can’t afford food

  • Local foodbanks
    • Citygate Church: go to 22 Rectory Road, Beckenham, BR3 1JA, email Info@citygatechurch.co.uk, call +44 20 8662 6850
    • Living Well Bromley: email hello@livingwell.life, call 020 8659 8991 or visit livingwell.life
    • Bromley Borough Foodbank (Trussell Trust): call 0800 9 20 23 24
    • Anerley Team Ministry Foodbank, call 020 8778 7014
    • Hayes Community Foodbank, call 0208 462 1168
    • Lewisham Donation Hub, visit https://lewishamdonationhub.org/, go to Place Ladywell, 261 Lewisham High Street
  • FareShare: visit https://fareshare.org.uk/getting-food/food-service-for-individuals/
  • Children aged 16 and under can get a hot or cold meal for £1 at any time of day in Asda cafés, 7 days a week, with no minimum adult spend. Asda are extending this offer to the end of 2022.
  • Morrisons are offering a free meal for 1 child under 16 when buying an adult meal with a value of £4.99 or over at in-store cafés.
  • Sainsbury’s have introduced budget-friendly meal ideas to feed a family of four for less than £5. The recipes are available on the [Recipe Scrapbook at Sainsburys.co.uk](https://www.sainsburys.co.uk/gol-ui/recipes/scrapbooks/feed-your-family-for-a-fiver). (Beckenham)
  • Iceland are offering a weekly discount offering over 60s 10% off on Tuesdays & most recently The Iceland Food club, a partnership launch with Fair For You, to help families manage rising costs.

 

I need help with grocery shopping and other essentials

 

HELP WITH HEALTH ISSUES

 

HEALTH

 

I want to experience healing

I or someone I know is suffering from Dementia

  • St Edmund’s Drop-In Café, phone 07904 516077 / 07753 658603 / 020 8325 0193 / 07887 762806

I or someone I know is struggling with a physical disability

I or someone I know has a long term health condition

 

MENTAL HEALTH

 

I or someone I know is suffering from severe mental health issues

I or someone I know is struggling with autism or learning difficulties

 

I WANT TO HELP

 

All of the above-mentioned organisations would probably welcome help. In addition, some not mentioned are:

I’m a woman who wants to use and develop her talents for good

  • Catholic Women’s League (Beckenham Section), phone 020 8650 1252 / 020 8658 3101 / 020 8658 0805

I want to help raise money for local charities

I want to donate furniture

I want to host someone in my home

  • Bromley Homeless: email bell@bromleyhomeless.org or telephone 073 9986 1218 if you have a spare room and would like more information.

I want to help maintain Beckenham

“The SVP gives powerful practical expression to Pope Francis’ desire for the Church to be a Church for the poor.”

Cardinal Vincent Nichols, Archbishop of Westminster