Kingston cost of living support this winter
Money and debt
Pension Credit
Pension Credit gives you extra money to help with your living costs if you're over State Pension age and on a low income. If you qualify, it also gives you access to other benefits such as the Winter Fuel Allowance and free TV Licence. Find out more about Pension Credit.
Kingston Council
Visit the Kingston Council website to find out about funding available for low-income households who meet certain criteria and who need help to afford utility bills and other essentials: Household support fund.
If you have any questions, you can email householdsupportfund@kingston.gov.uk or ring the council on 020 8547 5000 and the Contact Centre will arrange for the team to contact you.
Winter Fuel Payment
If you were born before 22 September 1959 you could get between £100 and £300 to help you pay your heating bills for winter 2025 to 2026. This is known as a ‘Winter Fuel Payment’.
Most people get the Winter Fuel Payment automatically if they’re eligible.
Most eligible people will be paid in November or December 2025.
Citizens Advice
Citizens Advice offers practical advice on a range of topics including benefits, work, debt and money, housing, family, and law and courts.
Citizens Advice has a national charity and network of local charities offering confidential advice online, over the phone, and in person, for free.
Turn2us
Turn2us is a national charity providing practical help to people who are struggling financially.
- Use the Turn2us benefits calculator to find our what benefits you are entitled to
- Search for grants you may eligible for
- Access the step by step guide to applying for Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
Connected Kingston
Connected Kingston is a site dedicated to helping Kingston residents find local activities and navigate local services.
Visit the Connected Kingston website to learn about the advice and support that might help you manage the cost of living.
Where to turn for mental health support this winter
From NHS Talking Therapies to a local Mental Health Crisis Line, support is available both for those in crisis and to help people look after their mental health and wellbeing in the community.
Warm Spaces
Warm spaces are public places that anyone can use. They’re free, warm, welcoming and safe.
Some spaces are only open in winter and some are open all year. Each space is different, but they might offer things like:
- hot food and drink
- activities and the chance to learn new things
- a place to meet people in your community
- access to the internet and help to use a computer
Libraries
Kingston Library
Working spaces, computer and internet access plus adult colouring, and puzzles, story time, memory sharing, board games and rhyme time for children. A friendly space with refreshments on Wednesday and Thursday.
Location: Fairfield Road KT1 2PS
Tudor Drive Library
Working spaces, computer and internet access.
Location: 192 Tudor Drive, KT2 5QH
Surbiton Library
Working spaces, computer and internet access plus adult colouring, and puzzles, story time, memory sharing and rhyme time for children.
Location: Ewell Road KT6 6AG
New Malden Library
Working spaces, computer and internet access.
Location: Kingston Rd, New Malden, KT3 3LY
Old Malden Library
Working spaces, computer and internet access.
Location: Church Rd, Worcester Park, KT4 7RD
Tolworth Community Library
Working spaces, computer and internet access.
Location: 37-39 The Broadway, Surbiton, KT6 7DJ
All Libraries, contact 020 8547 5006 for facilities
Community Spaces
The Hook Centre
Working spaces, computer and internet access plus adult colouring, and puzzles, story time, memory sharing, and rhyme time for children.
13 Hook Rd, Hook, Chessington KT9 1EJ
Dickerage Sports & Community Centre
After schools community drop-in, stay and play, coffee and youth club
Location: Dickerage Road, New Malden KT3 3EQ
New Malden Methodist Church
Coffee shop, Monday to Friday. Space to work, people to chat to and opportunity to charge a device. Hot drinks are available to purchase.
Monday to Friday 11:00 - 13:00 49
Location: High St, New Malden KT3 4BY
St James Parish Church
A warm welcome, Wednesdays 11.30 - 13:30
Location: New Malden Bodley Rd, New Malden KT3 5QE
New Malden Baptist Church
Tuesday's at 15:00 - Free food and drink, free wifi, device charging, people to chat to, space to work, puzzles, games, crafts and a kiddy corner Contact 020 8942 6912
Location: 1A Westbury Rd, New Malden KT3 5BE
Saint Joseph's Roman Catholic Church
A warm welcome, Fridays 11:00 - 15:00
Location: 1 Montem Rd, New Malden KT3 3QW
Emergency rough sleeper information
Kingston Churches Action on Homelessness (KCAH) – St Peter’s Church Hall, London Road, KT2 6QL - Monday to Friday between 10:00 - 12:00 for new registrations. Housing Advice
Streetlink – outreach services for rough sleepers. Self refer via t: 0300 500 0914 | w: www.streetlink.org.uk
Kingston Council Adult Social Care out of hours t: 020 8770 5000 (Duty Social Worker)
Food and drinks throughout Kingston Borough
Kingston Foodbank
Kingston Foodbank works using a voucher referral system, which means you need to pick up a voucher that will then be exchanged for emergency food at your foodbank centre.
If you are currently being supported by a support worker or a local support service (such as probation, a health and wellbeing service or a school/family centre support officer), then you should be able to get a food voucher from them.
If you’re not currently being supported by someone, then where you should go depends on the circumstances surrounding you:
- If you are homeless or at risk of being made homeless, you could ask for a voucher from Kingston Churches Action on Homelessness (KCAH) who have a drop in advice service from 10:00-13:00 Monday to Friday. They can also provide expert housing advice.
- If you’re struggling with debts, you could get a voucher from the Citizens Advice Bureau or Christians Against Poverty.
- If you’re experiencing delays or changes to your benefit payment, you should speak to your local job centre who can refer you to Kingston Foodbank.
Monday
10:30-12:30 SPEAR at Christ Church 91 Coombe Road, New Malden, KT3 4RE Showers/Drinks/Snacks (last shower at 12:15)
10:30-12:00 Surbiton Methodist Church 39 Ewell Road, Surbiton, KT6 6AF Cozy Chat over Tea and Toast
9:30 – 10:45 (weekly in term time) ARCHWAY TINY TOTS (for parents/carers of children 0-5yrs) Archway Parish Rooms, Washington Road, KT1 3JL Hot drinks & biscuits provided, plus fruit for children
10:00-14:00 Mon-Sat New Malden Methodist Church 49 High Street KT3 4BY hot drink or soup
11:00 – 13:00 Norbiton Community Fridge Kingston Road, Recreation Ground. Norbiton KT3 3RY
11:00-15:00 Weir Archer Cafe, Weir Archer Stadium, Kingsmeadow, Kingston Road, Kingston KT1 3PB Selection of sandwiches, cakes/pastries, hot and cold
12:30-13:30 Kingston United Reformed Church, Eden Street, Kingston, KT1 1HZ. Two Course hot Lunch. All welcome. Pay what you can (free to those in need)
08:30 – 11:00 St Mary’s Centre, St Mary the Virgin, Church Lane, Chessington, KT9 2DR Drop-in - Coffee, tea, biscuits and, sometimes cake!
Tuesday
11:00-12:30 Impact Centre at Everyday Church, 46 Union St, Kingston upon Thames. KT1 1RP (voucher needed*)
CREST TUESDAY LUNCH CLUB 12:00 - 14:00 Queen Mary Hall, Cambridge Gardens, Kingston KT1 3NJ. Weekly free lunch available at the foodbank. All welcome.
10:00 - 13:00 Chessington Community Fridge St Mary’s Centre. St Mary the Virgin, Church Lane, Chessington, KT9 2DR
11:00 – 13:00 Norbiton Community Fridge Kingston Road, Recreation Ground. Norbiton KT3 3RY
13:00 - 15:30 Kitchen Roots Community, St Mary’s Centre. Church Lane, Chessington, KT9 2DR. ‘pay as you can’ basis Hot meal, tea & coffee
12:30-14:30 Kingsgate Church 161A Clarence St, Kingston upon Thames, KT1 1QT Women Only
Wednesday
12:00 Refuge Action Kingston. St John the Evangelist Church, Grove Lane, KT1 2SU Community Lunch for people reg with Refuge Action Kingston
10:00 - 12:00 Archway Community Café, Archway Parish Rooms, Washington Road, KT1 3JL Welcoming & friendly place to relax, connect with the local community, enjoy free refreshments and find practical support if you need it
09:00 - 10:00 Impact Centre at King Centre, Coppard Gardens, Chessington, KT9 2GZ Food Bank (voucher needed)*
12:45 – 15:00 Rise Community Café Kingston Quaker Centre, Fairfield East, KT1 2PT Community Lunch
19:00 - 21:00 (The Bridge Café) Mind in Kingston – Drop-in Cafés Kingston WelCare, 53-55 Canbury Park Road, Kingston KT2 6LQ Mind in Kingston offer a friendly, relaxed and safe environment for people with mental health issues from in and around Kingston. As well as subsidised meals, they offer low-level support and promote social inclusion. Also, a virtual café online. Contact dropincafe@mindinkingston.org.uk for more information, or call 0208 2553939.
Thursday
10:00 – 12:00 Kingsnympton Youth & Community Centre Kingsnympton Park, Kingston upon Thames, KT2 7RP Community Connect/free refreshments Parents and children tea and cake
13:00 – 14:00 Out to Lunch Club Kingsnympton Youth & Community Centre Kingsnympton Park, Kingston upon Thames, KT2 7RP Community Connect/free refreshment cooking course with lunch. Migrant Advocacy Service.
19:00 - 21:00 Mind in Kingston Drop-in Cafés (The Star Café)at Alfriston Day Centre, 3 Berrylands Road, Surbiton KT5 8RB
13:30 - 15:00 Bereavement Café 53 - 55 Canbury Park Road KT2 6LQ Cuppa and a chat
9:30 - 11:15 New Malden United Reformed Church, Malden Rd, New Malden KT3 6DR Health visitor drop in.
11:00 - 14:00 New Malden United Reformed Church, Malden Rd, New Malden KT3 6DR Living Well Cafe and Help Desk
13:00 – 16:00 Moving on Together (MOT) Queen Mary Hall, Cambridge Gardens, Kingston KT1 3NJ. Substance recovery support group Hot food/food bank/Community cafe
10:00 - 12:00 Impact Centre at New Malden Baptist Church, 1a Westbury Road, New Malden, KT3 5BE (voucher needed)*
12:00 - 16:00 SQUARE ONE CAFÉ YMCA Hawker Centre, Lower Ham Road, Kingston KT2 5BH Selection of sandwiches, made to order, all fresh ingredients. Also soups and cakes/pastries table, hot and cold drinks. Large area, relaxed and informal.
Friday
11:00 - 14:00 St Luke’s Church Swinerton Hall, 62a Gibbon Road, Kingston KT2 6AB Tea and Treats Hot Drinks/Cake and Biscuits and limited donations (First Friday of the month)
11:00 – 13:00 Kingston Environment Centre, 1 Kingston Road, New Malden KT3 3PE Community Fridge
11:00 – 13:00 Norbiton Community Fridge Kingston Road, Recreation Ground. Norbiton KT3 3RY
11:00 - 12:30 Impact Centre at Everyday Church 46 Union St, Kingston, KT1 1RP (voucher needed)*
12:00 -16:00 SQUARE ONE CAFÉ Chessington Sports Centre, Garrison Lane, Chessington, KT9 2JS Selection of sandwiches, made to order, all fresh ingredients. Also soups and cakes/pastries table, hot and cold drinks. Large area, relaxed and informal.
22:30 - 23:00 Save the World Club, 18 Southsea Road, Kingston upon Thames, KT1 2EH. Kingston Waste not Want not Community Fridge. Free food, open to all, remember to take a bag.
Saturday
12:00 - 16:00 SQUARE ONE CAFÉ Kingston Environment Centre, 1 Kingston Road, New Malden KT3 3PE Sandwich, cake and hot drinks
8:00 - 10:00 Cooked Breakfast Everyday Church 46 Union Street, Kingston upon Thames, KT1 1RP.
10:00 - 13:00 Chessington Community Fridge St Mary’s Centre St Mary the Virgin, Church Lane, Chessington, KT9 2DR
Sunday
16:00 – 17:30 The Well, Surbiton New Life Baptist Church, 1 Balaclava Road, Surbiton, KT6 5PW Hot meal-Shower-Laundry-pool table
11:00 – 13:00 Norbiton Community Fridge Kingston Road, Recreation Ground. Norbiton KT3 3RY
