Supporting you this Christmas

Simon Hogg, Leader of Wandsworth Council said: "We know that for many residents, Christmas can bring challenges. That’s why we’re stepping up our efforts this festive season to ensure everyone in Wandsworth can access the support they need. 

“Whether it’s through financial assistance, warm community spaces, or opportunities for families to create lasting memories, we are here to help. We want every resident to know they are not alone, and we are committed to making this Christmas as worry-free as possible for everyone in our borough." 

Find support: 

The biggest Cost of Living fund in London

We're continuing to lead the way in supporting residents through our Cost of Living Fund, the largest of its kind in London. This comprehensive programme offers a range of financial support and services to help households manage rising costs, covering everything from energy bills to essential supplies.  

Community Spaces 

These Community Spaces, some Council-owned and others run by community groups, offer a warm, welcoming places for all Wandsworth residents during the colder months. They are an opportunity to connect, enjoy a hot drink or meal, and access council services.   

Crisis Assistance payments

Crisis payments are awarded to cover short-term needs, preventing serious risk to the health and safety of a person or their family. The payments are intended to meet one-off needs rather than on-going expenses.  

Warm Home Packs

We’ve brought back our popular Warm Home Packs, providing eligible residents with practical tools to stay warm while saving up to £200 on energy bills. Each pack includes essentials like draught excluders, energy-efficient light bulbs, and radiator reflectors. 

Support for families and children

To support families, the Council will be delivering its Wandsworth Connected – Holiday Activity and Food (HAF) programme. This enables young people and families who are eligible for benefit-related free school meals to access activities and services during the school holidays, including a nutritious meal and a fun physical activity every day. Free meal provision is part of the Council’s commitment to tackling food insecurity among young residents.  

Financial support for low-income pensioners

This winter, low-income pensioners in our borough will benefit from up to £300 in direct payments through the Wandsworth Winter Support scheme. This targeted initiative aims to help older residents manage rising living costs, including heating and essentials.   

Caring for older residents

In addition to financial support, Wandsworth is enhancing its programmes for older residents. Initiatives include social events, health and wellbeing activities, and services designed to combat loneliness during the colder months. These efforts are part of a broader strategy to ensure that older residents feel supported and connected during the festive season.

Refugee support

This Christmas, we guaranteed that every refugee child in the borough received a £50 gift card. We topped up the public donations to ensure they get a present over the holidays. We have also made additional payments to host families on the Homes for Ukraine scheme to help with the additional costs over winter. 

Festive fun for everyone

The holiday season wouldn’t be complete without some festive entertainment, and we are hosting our much-anticipated Little Mermaid pantomime. To ensure everyone can enjoy this magical show, we are offering half-price Access for All tickets, making performances more affordable for families and individuals on lower incomes. Secure your tickets and learn more about the show. 

Stay informed  

Christmas, we are pulling out all the stops to ensure that everyone in the borough can enjoy the holidays and access the support they need.

For up-to-date information and advice, visit our Cost-of-Living Hub. If you or someone you know needs assistance, don’t hesitate to get in touch with the Council’s support services.  

You can check the status of services such as bin collections and library opening times on our website.