Latest News

Dear Parents

We appreciate that during this time, many people will be experiencing difficulties for a variety of reasons such as loss of earnings. Please be advised that Southwark Council has an emergency support scheme, detailed below:

https://www.southwark.gov.uk/benefits-and-support/emergency-support

Contact Number: 0207 525 2434

Southwark Council announced earlier this week a further £1.5m in emergency funding to be made available ensuring those requiring emergency support including food and fuel would be able to access support immediately. Whilst Government has announced some further support for families in receipt of free school meals we recognise that this may take some time to be made available. 

They will be making temporary changes to the eligibility criteria for the Southwark Emergency Support Scheme. 

Eligibility will be extended to those who experience a sudden loss or interruption to income as a consequence of the impacts of COVID-19 and who lack other resources to meet their household’s basic needs for short periods.

The following criteria will also apply to families who live in Southwark and whose children are currently in receipt of free school meals until such times as government put alternative arrangements in place:

• Those claiming benefit but who face lengthy delays before they receive their first benefit payment and who lack other resources to meet urgent basic needs
• Those who are employed under zero-hour or similar contractual arrangements and who may still be employed but are without work or earnings and lack other resources to meet urgent basic needs
• Those who are self-employed but without work or income and lacking other resources to meet urgent basic needs
• Those whose income has fallen but where payment of Universal Credit for example does not yet reflect that change and who find themselves temporarily lacking resources to meet urgent basic needs
• Those facing significant deductions from their Universal Credit award or other benefits and as a consequence  lack resources to meet urgent basic needs
• Those who experience problems claiming benefits for example due to difficulties in meeting evidence requirements (this would apply mainly to foreign nationals or UK citizens who were not born in the UK and who are we know likely to face problems when satisfying residency test for UC)

---

Food banks and food parcels

Please also be advised that there are a number of food banks operating in the borough that can support families:

• Southwark Foodbank (PECAN) - 020 773 20007. Five centres operating in the borough with opening times and locations listed on its website
• Oasis Foodbank - 0207 357 7331. Has one distribution centre in Southwark at St George The Martyr Church. Borough High St, London, SE1 1JA 
• Central Southwark Community Hub - 020 7703 1653. Four centres in the borough with locations and opening hours listed on its website. Clients need to be referred to Margaret Taribo (margaret.taribo@cschub.co.uk) before a visit is made. 
• Camberwell Community Fridge – 020 7737 6186, Albrighton Centre. Open Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.
• The Borough Free Fridge – 02073577331. St George The Martyr Church, Borough High Street, SE1 1JA. Open Tuesday afternoon, 2-5pm.
• The Southwark Community Hub is set up to provide food parcels for those who are in need. Families should call 02075255000 or email covidsupport@southwark.gov.uk  if they need to access these.

Thank you and best wishes during these challenging times.

Ben Bray

Vice Principal (Designated Safeguarding Lead)

B.Bray@harrisdulwichboys.org.uk