Food and Fuel Poverty

Food Poverty is when an individual or household has the inability to afford, or to have access to, food to make up a healthy diet. Foodbanks are organisations who distribute food to people who have difficulty purchasing food.

There are three main food banks in Ards and North Down that offer emergency support with food during a crisis, alongside additional support.  If you need help with food, you can contact any of the Community Networks or Community Advice Ards and North Down(formerly Citizen’s Advice) who will check your eligibility and can provide a voucher than can be used in the Food Banks.  

Fuel Poverty - A household is in fuel poverty if, to maintain an acceptable level of temperature throughout the home, the occupants would have to spend more than 10% of their income on all household fuel use. The three factors which impact on fuel poverty are income, the cost of energy and the domestic energy efficiency of the home. 

Bangor Foodbank and Community Support

Bangor Foodbank and Community Support is supported by a network of businesses, churches and individuals, it has provided a daily safety net for at-risk families, the elderly and individuals in the North Down and Ards Peninsula area. It doesn’t believe that anyone in our community should have to face going hungry and so provides three days’ nutritionally balanced emergency food and support to local people who are referred to them in crisis. It is part of a nationwide network of foodbanks, supported by The Trussell Trust, working to combat poverty and hunger across the UK.

You can talk confidentially with a trained Community Advice adviser on| Tel: 0300 123 9287| to learn more about their work Tel: 07821 791 674| visit Home | Bangor Foodbank & Community Support (bfcs.love)

Newtownards Foodbank

Newtownards Foodbank helps those who are in food poverty by providing emergency food parcels and by signposting them to other agencies for their other needs. | Tel: 07902 933 297 | visit Newtownards Foodbank | Helping Local People in Crisis

Storehouse North Down

Storehouse North Down is supported by local churches, statutory and voluntary agencies, community groups, businesses and individuals to fight food poverty across Bangor, North Down and beyond. It aims to help by providing emergency food hampers by referral from their partners. |Tel: 07526 541 168 (food enquiries only) | visit Store House North Down – For many people, simply getting by is a struggle.

Society of St Vincent de Paul

Society of St Vincent de Paul aims to fight poverty in all its forms through the practical support to people in need. It offers direct, personal assistance that is non-judgemental and based on the need of the individual or family. |Tel: 028 9035 1561 |visit The Society of St. Vincent de Paul - Ireland - St Vincent De Paul (svp.ie)

Affordable Warmth Scheme

Affordable Warmth Scheme | Is the Department for Communities scheme for addressing fuel poverty and is delivered across Northern Ireland on behalf of the Department by the Northern Ireland Housing Executive and 11 local Councils. If you need energy advice or have a household income under £23,000 and would like to see if you are eligible to participate in this scheme, contact Ards and North Down Borough Council.  

Tel: 0300 013 3333| visit Affordable Warmth | Ards and North Down Borough Council

Boiler Replacement Scheme

Boiler Replacement Scheme| Is a Department for Communities Scheme, administered by the Northern Ireland Housing Executive.  You may qualify if you: 

  • live in Northern Ireland 
  • own and occupy your property as your main home 
  • have a household gross income less than £40,000 per year 
  • have a boiler which is at least 15 years old 

The scheme is not available for tenants living in social housing (Housing Executive or housing association tenants) or the private rented sector.  | Tel: 03448 920 900 (Textphone 18001 03448 920 900) and ask to speak to your local Grants Office| visit The Housing Executive - Boiler Replacement Scheme (nihe.gov.uk)

Northern Ireland Energy Advice Line Service

Northern Ireland Energy Advice Line Service| Managed by the Northern Ireland Housing Executive, offers free comprehensive advice and support on how to save energy in the home and on assistance available. | Tel: 0800 111 44 55| visit The Housing Executive - Community (nihe.gov.uk)

Money, Tackling Poverty and Legal Matters