Smart ways to save this Christmas
Christmas is a time for good will and giving. The idea of Christmas however is meant to be full of joy but in reality, for many people it’s filled with anxiety and worry. With the increasing costs of food, utilities and presents, creates immense pressure on families already struggling financially. Many parents have to choose between food and presents for their children.
Some families are forced to rely on credit to fund their festive spending, leading to long-term debt problems. A number of people are unable to celebrate Christmas at all due to the cost.
This can also cause social isolation and shame, as people feel unable to participate in traditional celebrations or may be unable to afford to heat their homes. Mental health can be significantly impacted, with a rise in loneliness, anxiety and depression due to expectations that are often impossible to meet.
We have compiled a page full of useful resources such as tips, money saving advice and links to local services across Devon and Cornwall.
Budget friendly family activity ideas
- Secret Santa — ensuring everyone gets a present and can be set to an agreed budget.
- Budget limitations — agreed to a maximum spend per head or a focus on children.
- Charity shops — Agree to shop only at charity shops, or make it fun by gifting the most unusual item found at a charity shop. Can be set to an agreed budget. Also a good place to look for Christmassy outfits for any Christmas events you might be attending as they often have seasonal style clothing.
- Homemade – Decorations, gifts, food – all these activities can be for a family or group and is fun for all. Many local groups often have homemade events leading up to Christmas so check your libraries or community hubs.
- Christmas dinner — if you are having Christmas with family or friends, ideas like putting money together in a pot to purchase the meal can help take the burden off of one person financially or agree what dishes to bring so everyone contributes.
- Supermarket comparison sites — closer to Christmas, supermarkets slash the prices of vegetables to pennies. There is usually a price comparison webpage on Money Saving Expert each year to see where the cheapest price is to source your veg.
Crisis at Christmas
Crisis at Christmas is a charity appeal that provide warm meals, shelter, support and companionship at Christmas to those experiencing homelessness.
Website: https://www.crisis.org.uk/crisis-at-christmas/what-is-crisis-at-christmas
Budget
Look at how much is realistically affordable for your household – try the following links for suggestions:
https://www.moneymatterswithnimi.com/christmas-money-tips
https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/shopping/christmas-savings
Cheap Vegetables deals - MoneySavingExpert
https://www.toogoodtogo.com/ Too Good To Go app is the world's largest surplus food marketplace.
https://olioapp.com/en/our-vision/ Olio is an app that lets you give what you no longer need or find items for free from people who live nearby.
Free groups — If you are social media savvy, there are often "free" community groups for your local area, with people offering items for free.
Money help and advice
Did you know we have helpful pages with a wealth of information on money help and advice? From what help you may be entitled to from the government, to bills, banking and heating tips, you can find it on our web pages here:
Making the most of your money | Westward
Save on heating bills | Westward
Shopping
Grocery shopping
Household & outdoor items
Activities
Free activities in Devon
https://devonwithkids.co.uk/free-things-to-do-in-devon-this-christmas/
Free Activities in Cornwall
https://cornwall365.com/events/types/christmas/
Salvation Army
For help and free gifts:
https://www.salvationarmy.org.uk/christmas
Food banks
Do you need emergency help with food and money? Around Christmas a lot of foodbanks may also have Christmas gifts.
Devon
Trussell Trust:
If you need help, a food bank can provide an emergency food parcel containing at least three days of meals.
Website: https://www.trussell.org.uk/emergency-food
Telephone: 01237 422243
North Devon (Barnstaple, Bideford, Ilfracombe, South Molton, Holsworthy, Braunton & Fremington)
The Northern Devon Foodbank is a locally funded charity working in partnership to end poverty. Covering districts of North Devon and Torridge with 7 local distribution centres and a rural distribution network.
Website: https://northerndevon.foodbank.org.uk/locations
Email: admin@northerndevon.foodbank.org.uk
Telephone: 01237 422243
THAT - Teignbridge Homeless Action Today:
From food to essentials, THAT support anyone in Teignbridge who needs a little extra help.
Website: https://www.thatfoodbank.com/
Telephone: 01626 437 310
Address: 8 Queensway House, Newton Abbot, TQ12 4BA
Trussell Trust – Buckfastleigh foodbank:
This foodbank was set up by local churches and community groups, working together towards helping local people who are struggling to make ends meet. To get in contact, please use the following details:
Website: https://buckfastleigh.foodbank.org.uk/contact-us/
Email: info@buckfastleigh.foodbank.org.uk
Telephone: 01364 643120 or 01364 644485
Address: St Luke’s Church, Plymouth Road, Buckfastleigh, TQ11 0DA
FoodCycle Exeter
FoodCycle community meals are nutritious, free, open to all, and made using food that would have otherwise gone to waste. To find out more about when the next community meal is, please use the following details:
Website: https://foodcycle.org.uk/location/foodcycle-exeter/
Email: exeter@foodcycle.org.uk
Address: The Mint Methodist Church, Fore Street, Exeter, EX4 3AT
HITS – Homeless In Teignbridge Support foodbank:
The first time you contact HITS, you can “self-refer”. Subsequent food parcel requests must be made via a referral from a professional agency such as Citizens Advice Bureau, Job Centre etc.
Website: https://hitsfoodbank.org/
Telephone: 01626 906371
CHAT – Churches Housing Action Team:
Supporting people experiencing housing difficulties in Mid Devon. They offer free support and advice on housing, debt and money and can also help with practical support from their foodbank, pantry and help with household items.
Website: https://www.chatmid.org/
Telephone: 0800 0590104
Address: Coggan’s Well House, Phoenix Lane, Tiverton, Devon, EX16 6LU.
Cullompton food bank:
Drop-in foodbank and advice sessions are available if you are struggling to afford food. A referral is needed from an agency such as The Citizens Advice Bureau, Cullompton’s children’s centre, ect.
Website: https://standrewscullompton.com/calendar/
Email: peoplematter@standrewscullompton.com
Address: St Andrew's Community Centre, Pye Corner, Cullompton, Devon, EX15 1JX.
Torbay food alliance
Food banks in Torquay, Paignton and Brixham. Torbay Food Alliance is a partnership of local community organisations, working together to support people who are struggling to afford food.
Website: https://www.torbayfoodalliance.org
Telephone: 01803 446022
The Helpline is open 10am - 1pm and 3pm - 6pm Monday to Friday and 11.30 am - 12.30pm on Saturdays.
Cornwall
Newquay food bank:
Provides food and other essential items to address the immediate need, then working with a wide variety of agencies to get access to support plans to get people back on their feet.
Website: https://newquay.foodbank.org.uk/get-help/
Email: Office@newquayfoodbank.co.uk
Telephone: 07983 622315
Liskeard and Looe foodbank:
Liskeard and Looe foodbank provides three days nutritionally balanced emergency food and support to local people who are referred to them in crisis.
Website: https://liskeardlooe.foodbank.org.uk/
Telephone: 07512 011452
Email: info@liskeardlooe.foodbank.org.uk
St Austell foodbank:
St Austell foodbank provides three days nutritionally balanced emergency food and support to local people who are referred to them in crisis.
Website: https://staustell.foodbank.org.uk/
Email: info@staustell.foodbank.org.uk
Telephone: 01726 65313
Address: The Light & Life Centre, Units 4-5 Brunel Business Park, The Sidings, St Austell, PL25 4TJ
Wadebridge, Bodmin & Camelford:
Food, furniture and household goods. Advice, crisis grants and debt counselling services.
Telephone: 01208 815374
Website: https://www.wadebridgefoodbank.org/
Address: 4 Eddystone Road, Wadebridge, Cornwall, PL27 7AL
Camborne & Redruth:
Transformation support individuals and families facing challenges by providing essential food supplies, advice, information and guidance.
Website: https://transformationcpr.org/get-support/receiving-help-from-transformation
Telephone: 01209 719415
Email: admin@transformationcpr.org
Wellbeing and support groups
Here is a list of support groups for adults and young people.
| Name | Location | Website |
| Devon Social Group | County-wide | https://www.devonsocialgroup.com/lonely |
| Fight From Isolation (Devon Connect) | County-wide | https://devonconnect.org/profile/fight_193 |
| Eastern Devon Loneliness & Social Isolation Partnership | Eastern Devon | https://oneeasterndevon.co.uk/our-work/partnership-groups/eastern-devon-loneliness-social-isolation-partnership/ |
| Devon Mind | Exeter | https://www.devonmind.com/find-help/groups |
| Step One Charity | Exeter | https://steponecharity.co.uk/peer-support-groups/ |
| Age Concern North Devon | Barnstaple | https://ageconcernnorthdevon.org.uk/befriending-service/ |
| Community Links SW CIC | South Devon | https://www.communitylinks-sw.co.uk/service/befriending/ |
| Unite Carers Mid Devon | Mid Devon | https://www.unitecarers.org.uk/befriending |
| Cornwall Mind | County-wide | https://cornwallmind.org/what-we-do/wellbeing-service/wellbeing-groups/ |
| Inclusion Matters (Cornwall RCC) | County-wide | https://cornwallrcc.org.uk/inclusion-matters |
| Volunteer Cornwall & Community Hubs | Various towns | https://www.volunteercornwall.org.uk/hubs |
| My Widowed Friends Network | Bodmin, Falmouth, Truro | https://cornishstuff.com/community/new-friendship-network-launches-in-cornwall-for-widowed-people/ |
| Helen’s Befriending Service | West Cornwall | https://www.helensbefriendingservice.co.uk/ |
| Pentreath Ltd | County-wide | https://www.pentreath.co.uk/ |
| Region | Name | Description | Age Range | Website | Contact |
| Devon | Young Devon | Youth charity offering wellbeing support, counselling, housing advice, and social opportunities. | 11 to 25 | https://www.youngdevon.org | info@youngdevon.org |
| Devon | Space Youth Services | Runs youth centres and outreach projects providing safe spaces and activities. | 11 to 25 | https://www.spaceyouthservices.org | info@spaceyouthservices.org |
| Devon | Action East Devon | Peer support groups, mentoring, and mental health resources for young people. | 11 to 25 | https://www.actioneastdevon.org.uk | info@actioneastdevon.org.uk |
| Devon | Kooth | Free, safe, and anonymous online mental health support. | 10+ | https://www.kooth.com | support@kooth.com |
| Devon | Esteem Team | Supports children and young people struggling with mental health and confidence. | Children & Young People | https://eastdevon.gov.uk/environmental-health-and-wellbeing/healthy-lifestyle-support/supporting-mental-wellbeing/ | info@esteemteam.co.uk |
| Cornwall | Young People Cornwall | Drop-in youth groups, one-to-one mental health sessions, and social activities. | 11 to 25 | https://youngpeoplecornwall.org | info@youngpeoplecornwall.org |
| Cornwall | 4YOUTH | Social and emotional support, coaching, mentoring, and alternative youth clubs. | 11 to 25 | https://www.4youthbeyourchange.com | info@4youthbeyourchange.com |
| Cornwall | Carefree Cornwall | Group activities, residential programs, and peer mentoring for care-experienced young people. | 11 to 25 | https://carefreecornwall.org.uk/youth-work/ | info@carefreecornwall.org.uk |
| Cornwall | Pentreath Ltd | Mental health charity offering projects for young people including Re-Ignite and Yep!. | 14 to 24 | https://www.pentreath.co.uk/services/young-people/ | info@pentreath.co.uk |
| Cornwall | Kernow Connect (Action for Children) | Universal and targeted support for ages 11 to 19 (up to 25 with SEND). | 11 to 25 | https://www.cornwall.gov.uk/health-and-social-care/mental-health/mental-health-support-for-parents-and-young-people/ | info@kernowconnect.orgA2A1:F11C11A1:F11 |