Food and Fuel Poverty
Food Poverty is when an individual or household cannot afford, or have access to, food to make up a healthy diet. Foodbanks are organisations that distribute food to people who have difficulty purchasing food.
Three main food banks in Ards and North Down offer emergency support with food during a crisis, alongside additional support. If you need help with food, you can contact any of the Community Networks or Community Advice Ards and North Down (formerly Citizen's Advice) who will check your eligibility and can provide a voucher that can be used in the Food Banks.
Fuel Poverty - A household is in fuel poverty if, to maintain an acceptable level of temperature throughout the home, the occupants would have to spend more than 10% of their income on all household fuel use. The three factors which impact fuel poverty are income, the cost of energy and the domestic energy efficiency of the home.
Bangor Foodbank and Community Support is supported by a network of businesses, churches and individuals, it has provided a daily safety net for at-risk families, the elderly and individuals in the North Down and Ards Peninsula area. It doesn't believe that anyone in our community should have to face going hungry so provides three days of nutritionally balanced emergency food and support to local people who are referred to them in crisis. It is part of a nationwide network of food banks, supported by The Trussell Trust, working to combat poverty and hunger across the UK.
You can talk confidentially with a trained Community Advice adviser on Tel: 0300 123 9287. To learn more about their work Tel: 07821 791 674 or visit Home | Bangor Foodbank & Community Support (bfcs.love)
Newtownards Foodbank helps those who are in food poverty by providing emergency food parcels and by signposting them to other agencies for their other needs. Tel: 07902 933 297 or visit Newtownards Foodbank | Helping Local People in Crisis
Storehouse North Down is supported by local churches, statutory and voluntary agencies, community groups, businesses and individuals to fight food poverty across Bangor, North Down and beyond. It aims to help by providing emergency food hampers by referral from their partners. Tel: 07526 541 168 (food enquiries only) or visit Store House North Down - For many people, simply getting by is a struggle.
Society of St Vincent de Paul aims to fight poverty in all its forms through practical support to people in need. It offers direct, personal assistance that is non-judgemental and based on the needs of the individual or family. Tel: 028 9035 1561 or visit The Society of St. Vincent de Paul - Ireland - St Vincent De Paul (svp.ie)
Affordable Warmth Scheme is the Department for Communities scheme for addressing fuel poverty in the Private Sector.
Please note, as of 1st September 2023, Ards and North Down Borough Council will no longer be a delivery partner of the Affordable Warmth Scheme. Applications must now be made directly to the Northern Ireland Housing Executive.
For more information visit Affordable Warmth
Boiler Replacement Scheme is a Department for Communities Scheme, administered by the Northern Ireland Housing Executive. You may qualify if you:
- live in Northern Ireland
- own and occupy your property as your main home
- have a household gross income of less than £40,000 per year
- have a boiler which is at least 15 years old
The scheme is not available for tenants living in social housing (Housing Executive or housing association tenants) or the private rented sector. Tel: 03448 920 900 | Textphone 18001 03448 920 900 and ask to speak to your local Grants Office visit The Housing Executive - Boiler Replacement Scheme (nihe.gov.uk)
Northern Ireland Energy Advice Line Service managed by the Northern Ireland Housing Executive, offers free comprehensive advice and support on how to save energy in the home and on assistance available. Tel: 0800 111 44 55 or visit The Housing Executive - Community (nihe.gov.uk
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