Cost of Living

Welcome Spaces in Leeds 

Welcome Spaces are places where you can gather for free in a neutral warm and friendly place to read, study or enjoy the company of others. Perhaps a hot drink too!

They are totally free to use and provide a warm welcome to anyone affected by the cost of living.

Warm Spaces 22/23 wins Community Project of the Year at Leeds Compassionate City Awards

Find your Welcome Space

Search the directory to find a Welcome Space near you.

Bills

Find schemes and specialist advice to support you with energy and household bills.

Websites

• Energy Saving Trust – Saving money on energy bills
• Fuel Bank Foundation – Financial support for people facing fuel crisis
• Citizens Advice – Energy bills and meters
• Money Saving Expert – Check your energy direct debit bill lower payments
• SCOPE – Support for bills for people with disabilities
• National Energy Action – Action for Warm Homes – Support for fuel-poor homes
• CCW – Resolve complaints against your water company
  

Quick read PDFs

• Flexible Payment Plans and reduced bills
• Grants and benefits
• Yorkshire Water – schemes and extra help
• Priority Service Register
• Schemes and support for water bills
• Energy bill support

Benefits, debts and finances

Find information on benefits, debt advice, and financial support.

Websites

• DWP – Check eligibility and apply for benefits and welfare payments
• Citizens Advice – What benefits available
• Benefit Calculator
• Better Leeds Communities – Debt and finances, house and homelessness and family services
• Community Hubs – Help with job applications, claiming benefits, using free computers and developing your digital skills
• Leeds Money Information Centre Free, confidential advice on a range of money related matters such as debt, money, energy and utilities.
• Money Buddies – Free impartial independent debt advice and budgeting support. 
• Burmantofts Community Project – Non-profit organisation that offers help and advice on debt and benefit
• Step Change – Debt advice and informations

Quick read PDFs

• Benefits, bills, and money advice
• Money worries – where to get help?

Food

Find food provision services across the city, such as food banks, drop-in centers, and schemes to help with shopping.

Websites

• Emergency Food
• Healthy Start Scheme
• Leeds Food Aid Network
• Food Wise

Quick read PDFs

• Homeless and Food Aid Provision
• Healthy Start scheme
• NHS Healthy Start info
• Food Provision and Support Scheme
• Organisations and Groups for Homeless Map

Clothing

Get great quality, second-hand clothes that are being distributed across the city. Share and collect from stores or pop-up shops. 

Websites

• Free winter coats
• Leeds Uniform Exchange
• Zero Waste clothing
• Zero Waste Projects

Quick read PDFs

• Free school uniforms

Reducing energy costs

Find practical tips and advice on saving energy, reducing bills, and keeping your home warm for less.

Quick read PDFs

• Energy Saving Handbook – CAL
• Warm Home Hacks
• How to stay warm for less
• Practical Solutions to Reduce Energy Costs – Green Doctor
• Energy Saving for Beeston
• Energy saving action plan -Green Doctor
• Make Your Money Count

Care and repairs

Improve your home health by making it more energy efficient and draught-proof.

Websites

• Groundwork’s Green Doctor – Energy efficiency expert that help you save money and manage fuel debt
• Home Plus Leeds – Improve health at home by preventing hazards and keeping homes warm

Quick read PDFs

• Green Doctor – Install a chimney-balloon-guide
• Green Doctor – damp advice
• Green Doctor – Draught strips
• Green Doctor – how-to-use-a-storage-heater
• Green-doctor-install-radiator-foil
• Green-doctor-lightbulbs
• Home Plus 3 Care and Repair homes
• Damp and condensation