In need of support?

Help through Hardship

0808 208 2138. If you’re worried about money and struggling to afford essentials, call Trussell Trust’s free helpline for personalised support. Our friendly advisers can help you get the support you need if you’re struggling to afford essentials like food, heating and toiletries. We can advise which benefits you’re entitled to, guide you through any claims, and help you with emergency issues. Lines open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm. Closed on public holidays.

Smethwick Citizens Advice Bureau

Advice and assistance on money (benefits, employment, tax), daily life (communications, consumer affairs, gas and electricity and travel), and your rights (discrimination, civil rights, immigration, the legal system). Unit 6, Tollgate Shopping Precinct, Smethwick, B67 7RA. 0300 330 9017. smethwick@citizensadvicesandwell-walsall.org

Community Offer

Wellbeing support services to residents across Sandwell. If you’re having issues with mental health, you’re a carer, have a disability, or many other situations, Community Offer can provide everything from advice to help picking up your food parcel. 0121 726 3983.

Brushstrokes

Refugee and migrant support, offering resources and advice. 253 High Street, Smethwick, B66 3NJ. 0121 565 2234, or email info@brushstrokessandwell.org.uk. Open 9 AM - 3 PM, Monday to Friday.

Other foodbanks

United Hands Foodbank & Wellbeing Hub, Smethwick - 07956 149 668

Salma Foodbank (Families, 65+ or extremely vulnerable only) - 07767 164 246, Monday, Thursday and Friday. Unit 8, Ash Court, Crystal Drive, Smethwick, B66 1QG.

Quinton & Oldbury Foodbank - 0773 145 3208. St Boniface Church, Quinton Road West, Quinton, B32 2QD.

Birmingham Central Foodbank - Birmingham City Church, Parade, B1 3QQ. Open Tuesdays 9:30 -11:15 and Fridays 10:00-13:15. They can be reached through the Help Through Hardship line on 0808 208 2138.

Black Country Foodbank - Multiple locations across the Black Country. Main office: Black Country Foodbank, Albion Street, Brierley Hill, DY5 3EE. 01384 671 250 (telephone line is open Mon-Fri 9am - 1pm). admin@blackcountryfoodbank.org.uk.

Help with debt

CAP Debt Help – There are local Debt Coaches who will visit clients at home. This is a valuable service to those with mental health issues. Call CAP on 0800 328 0006 Mon-Thurs 09.30-17.00 and Fri 09.30-15.30. They will confirm an appointment date, give immediate advice about how to deal with bailiffs and give advice on other charities that will offer help if there is no local service. Unfortunately the appointment might be a number of weeks in the future, due to shortage of trained debt coaches in each area. They run CAP Money Courses across West Midlands.

Community Money Advice. This national group support a number of local charities that offer debt advice. Your local centres can be found here.

Citizens Advice. An online database of practical articles on all aspects of Debt and Money management.  The Sandwell (Smethwick) office is based at 370-372 High St., Smethwick, B66 3PJ. Ring the information helpline on 0300 330 9017 Mon-Fri 09.00-15.30 (Tues till 19.00). There are a number of offices across Sandwell.