Suggested Referral Agents

We work with a number of other organisations around Winchester who can help you with additional support and can refer you for our services and provide additional assistance.  For example, if you live in social housing you should contact Winchester City Council housing department or your housing association (tenancy support team).   If you are homeless or vulnerably housed, you can contact the Trinity Centre or the Winchester Beacon.  If you are in private rented, or your own home, or the previous suggested aren’t suitable, then Winchester Citizens Advice can assist you.

These general referral agents can refer you to our services a maximum of 8 times in a 12-month rolling period (this limit also includes any self-referrals you may submit):

• • Winchester Citizen’s Advice Bureau Freephone – 0800 278 7861 – https://citizensadvicewinchester.org.uk – free advice on every aspect of life, from benefits and employment to housing and debt management.
    – if you prefer, you can call us on 01962 864720 on Tuesdays and Fridays between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. or come into one of our hubs and we can help you fix up an appointment.
  • Your local Housing Association – through the Tenancy Support Team/Officer
  • Winchester City Council – Housing Team or Income Services Team – https://www.winchester.gov.uk/cost-of-living

  Housing matters including homelessness – Email: homelessness@winchester.gov.uk – Duty Line 01962 848 163

  Housing Benefits Team: 01962 848 539 (Lines are open between 10am-12pm and 1pm-3pm) – Universal Credit: 0800 328 5644

  Council Tenants in rent arrears: housingincome@winchester.gov.uk or telephone 01962 848 205

  Council Tax: 01962 848 288 (Lines are open 9.30am – 4pm) – Make a claim for Council Tax Support online

  • • • Debt advice charities like CAP (Christians Against Poverty – 0800 328 0006 –  https://capuk.org)
      • HCC – https://www.hants.gov.uk/community/costofliving – Help and support is available from a number of services. This includes warm spaces in libraries to hot school meals and expert advice on reducing heating bills.
      • The Trinity Centre / Winchester Beacon
      • Adult Services or Health visitors
      • Probation officers
      • Some local schools (normally via the Head or admin team)
      • Children’s centres / organisations such as Home Start, Friends of the Family

  Once you  have reached the limit of 8 vouchers in a year (NEW FOR 2025 – YOU CAN ONLY SELF REFER 4 TIMES – THE OTHER REFERRALS MUST COME VIA AN AGENCY) if you still need help you need to be referred by Winchester City Council (Housing or Income Services), Hampshire County Council (Family Services), Citizens Advice, CAP, A2Dominion or Two Saints, who will be able to help you see if there are any additional avenues of assistance.  Additional referrals will not be accepted by other referral agencies.

  If you don’t wish to seek help via one of these agencies, then we can recommend joining the Community Food Pantry at Unit-12, Winnall, or the Carroll Centre, Stanmore. See communitypantries-overview  for more information.