Free meals and cheap food in Newcastle
There are free hot meals and takeaway food provided by volunteer and community groups in Newcastle. They welcome people who are hungry or lonely to eat a hot meal.
There are community meals and pay as you feel supermarkets or food pantries where you can buy low cost food. These often use food donated by companies where it would otherwise go to waste.
See below for more details on what’s available in Newcastle. We also have a list of the Food Banks and free emergency food in Newcastle.
The services listed on this page are provided by organisations independent to the council. We update this information regularly, but opening times and availability can change. Opening times are different during bank holidays.
Before attending a place we recommend you check it is running and that you’re eligible to receive the service. Some services are only for adults or rough sleepers. Please note there may be a limit to the number of times you can access a service due to high demands in Newcastle. You can read more about InformationNOW’s Terms and Conditions.
Find food help near you
Search our organisation directory to find food help near you.
Free and low cost food available
Mondays
| Name | What’s available | How to access |
| Mary’s Place at the Mercy Hub
Address: The Mercy Hub, Neville Street, NE1 5HH Website: stmaryscathedral.org.uk/mercyhub/mercyhubnews Email: eliz.bennett1@outlook.com |
A warm place to sit for free hot and cold food and drinks.
Take away food and drinks also available. Find it on Neville Street. The door is opposite Central Station Goods Yard. It’s part of the St Mary’s Cathedral Mercy Hub. |
Time: Mondays 10am to 1pm
Who can use it: for people who are homeless and those in need How: drop in Cost: free |
| The People’s Kitchen
Address: The Allison Centre, 56 Bath Lane, NE4 5SQ Telephone: 0191 222 0699 Website: peopleskitchen.co.uk Email: info@peopleskitchen.co.uk |
Free hot meal for people who are homeless or vulnerable.
Sleeping bags, warm clothing and toiletries are also available |
Time: Monday to Friday 6.30pm to 8.30pm
Saturday and Sunday 9.30am to 11.30am Who can use it: adults How: drop in Cost: free |
| FoodCycle Benwell
Address: Riverside Community Health Project Carnegie Building, Newcastle upon Tyne NE4 8XS Website: foodcycle.org.uk/location/newcastle-benwell Telephone: 07377 866 316 Email: benwell@foodcycle.org.uk |
Free, nutritious cooked meal on Mondays at 6.30pm.
Everyone is welcome, no matter your background or circumstances. |
Time: 6.30pm
Who can use it: all welcome How: No referral needed, just turn up Cost: free |
| Kingdom Life Community Grocery – Newcastle
Address: Heaton Road, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE6 1SB Telephone: 0191 345 4511 Website: communitygrocery.org.uk/newcastle |
Low cost, affordable supermarket
Classes such as cookery, life skills and managing your money |
Open: Monday to Friday 10am to 2pm
Who is it for: families and local residents How to use it: Membership required Cost: Membership is £5 a year. You can then shop 3 times a week for £4
|
| Pottery Bank Community Centre
Address: Yelverton Crescent, Pottery Bank, Walker, Telephone: 0191 224 2349 Website: Pottery Bank Facebook Page Email: info@potterybankcc.co.uk |
Low cost community café
Weekly pay as you feel supermarket Monthly essential food bags Cookery classes |
Open: Community Café Monday to Friday 8am to 2pm
Who is it for: people in Newcastle How to use it: Contact them for more information. Visit their Facebook page for more information Cost: low cost food
|
| Newcastle Community Pantry (Walker)
Address: Treetop Village, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE6 3JW Telephone: 0191 275 3019 Website: Visit their Facebook page |
Low cost social supermarket
Members in Walker can visit weekly to choose a minimum of 10 items to take home. This includes a range of fresh fruit, vegetables, dairy items, tinned food and other essential household items. There may be a limit on the number of higher value or free items that you can choose |
Time: Mondays 1pm to 3pm
Who can use it: people who live in Walker How to use the service: Register as a member. Bring a letter with your address on it when you register. You pay a subscription fee. To keep your membership active visit once a month. Cost: low cost food £5 subscription fee or £2.50 with a Healthy Start voucher |
Tuesdays
| Name | What’s available | How to access |
| Vinnie’s Café – Lunch at St Vincent’s Centre
Address: Newbridge Street Telephone: 0191 261 6027 Website: svp.org.uk/st-vincents-newcastle |
Free hot sit in or take away meals cooked by volunteers
Free emergency packs of food, toiletries and sanitary products for those in need Monday to Thursday 10.30am to 3.30pm and Friday 10am to 2pm. Free Clothing Support available on Thursdays |
Time: 11am to 1pm
Who can use it: Adults. All welcome How: drop in to collect a takeaway meal Call or email to arrange collection of food, clothing or toiletries parcel Cost: free |
| St James Church
Address: Benwell Lane, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE15 6RR Website: benwellscotswood.com/stjames Email: church@benwellscotswood.com |
Free lunch on Tuesdays
Time to spend meeting your community. It’s for anyone, any age, any background and any beliefs |
Time: 12pm to 2pm
Who can use it: all welcome How: drop in. Call or email to let them know you’re interested. Cost: free (donations welcome) |
| The People’s Kitchen
Address: The Allison Centre, 56 Bath Lane, NE4 5SQ Telephone: 0191 222 0699 Website: peopleskitchen.co.uk Email: info@peopleskitchen.co.uk |
Free hot meal for people who are homeless or vulnerable.
Sleeping bags, warm clothing and toiletries are also available |
Time: Monday to Friday 6.30pm to 8.30pm
Saturday and Sunday 9.30am to 11.30am Who can use it: adults How: drop in Cost: free |
| Byker Pantry – Life Vineyard Church Foodbank
Address: Life Vineyard Church, 11–13 Raby Cross, , Byker, NE6 2FF Telephone: 07470 126 508 Website: www.lifevineyard.church/lifeprojects |
Buy low cost food using the Byker Pantry points scheme.
Items are at least half the price of a supermarket. |
Time: Tuesdays 9.30am to 12pm and 1pm to 4pm
Who can use it: people who live or work in Byker or have a child at school in Byker. How to use the service: drop in. You exchange money for points. Then buy food items which are priced in points. Cost: low cost |
| Newcastle Community Pantry (Blakelaw)
Address: Blakelaw Community centre, Newcastle Community Asset Trust, Binswood Avenue, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE5 3PN Telephone: 0191 275 3019
|
Low cost social supermarket
Members can visit weekly to choose a minimum of 10 items to take home. This includes a range of fresh fruit, vegetables, dairy items, tinned food and other essential household items. There may be a limit on the number of higher value or free items that you can choose |
Time: Tuesdays, 10am to 12pm
Who can use it: people who live in Blakelaw How to use the service: Register as a member. Bring a letter with your address on it when you register. You pay a subscription fee. To keep your membership active visit once a month. Cost: low cost food £5 subscription fee or £2.50 with a Healthy Start voucher |
| Kingdom Life Community Grocery – Newcastle
Address: Heaton Road, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE6 1SB Telephone: 0191 345 4511 Website: communitygrocery.org.uk/newcastle |
Low cost, affordable supermarket
Classes such as cookery, life skills and managing your money |
How to use it: Membership required
Open: Monday to Friday 10am to 2pm Who is it for: families and local residents Cost: Membership is £5 a year. You can then shop 3 times a week for £4 |
| Pottery Bank Community Centre
Address: Yelverton Crescent, Pottery Bank, Walker, Telephone: 0191 224 2349 Website: Pottery Bank Facebook Page Email: info@potterybankcc.co.uk |
Low cost community café
Weekly pay as you feel supermarket Monthly essential food bags Cookery classes |
Open: Community Café Monday to Friday 8am to 2pm
Who is it for: people in Newcastle How to use it: Contact them for more information. Visit their Facebook page for more information Cost: low cost food |
| The Bread and Butter Thing (Benwell)
Address: Merton Lodge, Merton Court, Benwell, NE4 8JD Telephone: 0737 993 1980 Text message: 07860 063304 Website: breadandbutterthing.org |
Weekly low cost food bags with fruit and veg, fridge favourites and cupboard staples.
Vegetarian options are available. They accept Healthy Start Vouchers |
Who is it for: people in Newcastle
How to use it: Book your food club order before 10am on Mondays Text 07860 063304 your full name, postcode and BENWELL where you’re collecting from.) Or register as a member on their website Select the size of your food bag You’ll be sent a text every Sunday to confirm if you would like to place an order the next week. Reply ‘YES’ by 10am Monday to secure your shopping. Collect and pay for your bag from Merton Lodge in Benwell at 2:30pm Tuesday. (Someone can collect on your behalf) How much does it cost: Membership is free. Bags costa are £5 for individuals, £8.50 for family, £17 for Large family |
Wednesday
| Name | What’s available | How to access |
| Big River Bakery
Address: Website: bigriverbakery.myshopify.com Telephone: 0774 608 6924 Email: andy@bigriverbakery.com |
Community bakery and café in Shieldfield.
They bake and sell fresh artisan bread, pies and pastries. You can pay what you feel day for their food on Wednesdays They’re a Winter Wellbeing Hub |
Open: Monday 8am to 1.30pm Tuesday to Friday 8am to 4pm Saturday 9am to 1.30pmWho is it for: people in Newcastle How to use it: Pop in during opening times. No one will be turned away who need a drink and a place to sit Cost: free or low cost food |
| Cornerstone Benwell
Address: 62 Armstrong Road, Telephone: 0191 226 0941 Website: cornerstonebenwell.com Email: cornerstonebenwell@gmail.com
|
Benwell Bridge Pantry: low cost food items available. you can buy 10 items for £2.50. Membership needed.
Corner Kitchen Community Café: selling low cost hot and cold food Emergency food parcels available Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 9am to 2pm |
Time: Pantry open Wednesdays from 9am to 2pm
Community Café open Wednesdays and Thursdays 9am to 2pm Who can use it: adults How: Membership needed to use Pantry You can turn up to use the café and pantry Cost: low cost |
| Blakelaw Community Centre
Address: Newcastle Community Asset Trust, Binswood Avenue, Blakelaw, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE5 3PN Website: newcastlecat.org.uk Other Website: newcastlecat.org.uk/blakelaw Email: esme.reily@newcastlecat.org.uk Facebook: Mrs T’s Café |
Community Market stocks food donated by local supermarkets. You can buy food at a low cost.
Community café open 7 days a week |
Market open: Wednesdays and Fridays 10am to 12pm
Café open: 7 days a week Who can use it: adults How: You can turn up to use the café and pantry Cost: low cost |
| FoodCycle Walker
Address: Monkchester Community Centre, 208 Monkchester Road, Walker, NE6 2LJ Website: foodcycle.org.uk/location/newcastle-walker/ Email: monkchester@foodcycle.org.uk |
FoodCycle Walker offers free, nutritious cooked meal on Wednesdays at 12.30pm.
. |
Time: 12.30pm to 1.30pm
Who can use it: all welcome How: No referral needed, just turn up Cost: free |
| The People’s Kitchen
Address: The Allison Centre, 56 Bath Lane, NE4 5SQ Telephone: 0191 222 0699 Website: peopleskitchen.co.uk Email: info@peopleskitchen.co.uk |
Free hot meal for people who are homeless or vulnerable.
Sleeping bags, warm clothing and toiletries are also available |
Time: Monday to Friday 6.30pm to 8.30pm
Saturday and Sunday 9.30am to 11.30am Who can use it: adults How: drop in Cost: free |
| Kingdom Life Community Grocery – Newcastle
Address: Heaton Road, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE6 1SB Telephone: 0191 345 4511 Website: communitygrocery.org.uk/newcastle |
Low cost, affordable supermarket
Classes such as cookery, life skills and managing your money |
How to use it: Membership required
Open: Monday to Friday 10am to 2pm Who is it for: families and local residents Cost: Membership is £5 a year. You can then shop 3 times a week for £4 |
| Pottery Bank Community Centre
Address: Yelverton Crescent, Pottery Bank, Walker, Telephone: 0191 224 2349 Website: Pottery Bank Facebook Page Email: info@potterybankcc.co.uk |
Low cost community café
Weekly pay as you feel supermarket Monthly essential food bags Cookery classes |
Open: Community Café Monday to Friday 8am to 2pm
Who is it for: people in Newcastle How to use it: Contact them for more information. Visit their Facebook page for more information Cost: low cost food |
| Pop up Pantry Food Shop
Address: Shieldfield Art Works, 1 Clarence Street, NE2 1YH Telephone: 0191 265 4979 Website thepopup-pantry |
Mobile food co operative where you can buy low cost food. Save up to 50% on food and household items. They offer friendship, cups of tea, help and signposting too. They visit communities in Newcastle offering low cost food to buy.
|
Open: 10 am to 12 noon
Who is it for: people who need it, no criteria Cost: cheaper than supermarket
|
Thursday
| Name | What’s available | How to access |
| Cornerstone Benwell
Address: 62 Armstrong Road, Telephone: 0191 226 0941 Website: cornerstonebenwell.com Email: cornerstonebenwell@gmail.com |
Benwell Bridge Pantry: low cost food items available. you can buy 10 items for £2.50. Membership needed.
Corner Kitchen Community Café: selling low cost hot and cold food Emergency food parcels available Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 9am to 2pm |
Time: Pantry open Wednesdays from 9am to 2pm
Community Café open Wednesdays and Thursdays 9am to 2pm Who can use it: adults How: Membership needed to use Pantry You can turn up to use the café and pantry Cost: low cost |
| The Pop up pantry food shop
Address: The Sanctuary, St. John’s Road, NE4 7TY Telephone: 0191 265 4979 Website: popup-pantry.uk Email: Office@thepopup-pantry.uk |
Mobile food co operative where you can buy low cost food. Save up to 50% on food and household items.
They offer friendship, cups of tea, help and signposting too. They visit communities in Newcastle offering low cost food to buy. |
Time: Thursdays at The Sanctuary 11am to 1pm
Who can use it: adults How: No referral needed, just turn up Cost: low cost |
|
Address: St Silas’ Church, Clifford Street, Byker, NE6 1DR Website: foodcycle.org.uk/location/byker/ Email:byker@foodcycle.org.uk |
Free, nutritious cooked meal on Thursdays at 7pm. | Time: 7pm to 8pm
Who can use it: all welcome How: No referral needed, just turn up Cost: free |
|
Address: Westgate Baptist Church, NE4 6QD |
Free, nutritious cooked meal on Thursdays at 6.45pm. | Time: Thursdays 6.45pm
Who can use it: all welcome How: No referral needed, just turn up Cost: free |
| The People’s Kitchen
Address: The Allison Centre, 56 Bath Lane, NE4 5SQ Telephone: 0191 222 0699 Website: peopleskitchen.co.uk Email: info@peopleskitchen.co.uk |
Free hot meal for people who are homeless or vulnerable.
Sleeping bags, warm clothing and toiletries are also available |
Time: Monday to Friday 6.30pm to 8.30pm
Saturday and Sunday 9.30am to 11.30am Who can use it: adults How: drop in Cost: free |
| Byker Pantry Life Vineyard Church Foodbank
Address: Life Vineyard Church, 11–13 Raby Cross, Byker, NE6 2FF Website: www.lifevineyard.church/lifeprojects Email:Byker.pantry@lifevineyard.church Telephone: 07470 126 508 |
Buy low cost food using the Byker Pantry points scheme.
Items are at least half the price of a supermarket. |
Time: 2pm to 6pm
Who can use it: people who live or work in Byker or have a child at school in Byker. How: drop in. You exchange money for points. Then buy food items which are priced in points. Cost: low cost
|
| Kingdom Life Community Grocery – Newcastle
Address: Heaton Road, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE6 1SB Telephone: 0191 345 4511 Website: communitygrocery.org.uk/newcastle |
Low cost, affordable supermarket
Classes such as cookery, life skills and managing your money |
How to use it: Membership required
Open: Monday to Friday 10am to 2pm Who is it for: families and local residents Cost: Membership is £5 a year. You can then shop 3 times a week for £4 |
| Pottery Bank Community Centre
Address: Yelverton Crescent, Pottery Bank, Walker, Telephone: 0191 224 2349 Website: Pottery Bank Facebook Page Email: info@potterybankcc.co.uk |
Low cost community café
Weekly pay as you feel supermarket Monthly essential food bags Cookery classes |
Open: Community Café Monday to Friday 8am to 2pm
Who is it for: people in Newcastle How to use it: Contact them for more information. Visit their Facebook page for more information Cost: low cost food
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Newcastle Community Pantry – NUCASTLE Telephone: 07580751365 Website: yourlocalpantry.co.uk Email: info@nclwefb.org |
Low cost social supermarket
Members can visit weekly to choose a minimum of 10 items to take home. This includes a range of fresh fruit, vegetables, dairy items, tinned food and other essential household items. There may be a limit on the number of higher value or free items that you can choose |
Time: Thursdays 12pm to 2:30pm
Who can use it: people who live in the local area How to use the service: Register as a member. Bring a letter with your address on it when you register. You pay a subscription fee. To keep your membership active visit once a month. Cost: low cost food £5 subscription fee or £2.50 with a Healthy Start voucher
|
Fridays
| Name | What’s available | How to access |
| The People’s Kitchen
Address: The Allison Centre, 56 Bath Lane, NE4 5SQ Telephone: 0191 222 0699 Website: peopleskitchen.co.uk Email: info@peopleskitchen.co.uk |
Free hot meal for people who are homeless or vulnerable.
Sleeping bags, warm clothing and toiletries are also available |
Time: Monday to Friday 6.30pm to 8.30pm
Saturday and Sunday 9.30am to 11.30am Who can use it: adults How: drop in Cost: free |
| Kingdom Life Community Grocery – Newcastle
Address: Heaton Road, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE6 1SB Telephone: 0191 345 4511 Website: communitygrocery.org.uk/newcastle Email: newcastle@communitygrocery.org.uk
|
Low cost, affordable supermarket
Classes such as cookery, life skills and managing your money |
How to use it: Membership required
Open: Monday to Friday 10am to 2pm Who is it for: families and local residents Cost: Membership is £5 a year. You can then shop 3 times a week for £4
|
| Pop up Pantry Food Shop
Address: The Allen, The Green, Wallsend NE28 7NP Telephone: 0191 265 4979 Website thepopup-pantry Email:Office@thepopup-pantry.uk
|
Groceries and a cup of tea and a chat | Open: 10am to 12pm
Who is it for: people who need it, no criteria Cost: cheaper than supermarket
|
| Blakelaw Community Centre
Address: Newcastle Community Asset Trust, Binswood Avenue, Blakelaw, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE5 3PN Website: newcastlecat.org.uk Other Website: newcastlecat.org.uk/blakelaw Email: esme.reily@newcastlecat.org.uk Facebook: Mrs T’s Café |
Community Market stocks food donated by local supermarkets. You can buy food at a low cost.
Community café open 7 days a week |
Market open: Wednesdays and Fridays 10am to 12pm
Café open: 7 days a week Who can use it: adults How: You can turn up to use the café and pantry Cost: low cost
|
| Pottery Bank Community Centre
Address: Yelverton Crescent, Pottery Bank, Walker, Telephone: 0191 224 2349 Website: Pottery Bank Facebook Page Email: info@potterybankcc.co.uk |
Low cost community café
Weekly pay as you feel supermarket Monthly essential food bags Cookery classes |
Open: Community Café Monday to Friday 8am to 2pm
Who is it for: people in Newcastle How to use it: Contact them for more information. Visit their Facebook page for more information Cost: low cost food |
| St Vincent’s Centre
Address: Blackfriars Centre, New Bridge Street, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 2TQ Telephone: 0191 261 6027 Website: svp.org.uk/st-vincents-newcastle |
Pop up Community Market: a warm space with some free or cheap items.
Clothes and shoes available from £1. Any 12 grocery items for £5. There’s a tombola, hot drinks, soup and snacks. |
Open: Thursdays 12.30pm to 3.30pm
Who is it for: people in Newcastle How to use it: Contact them for more information. Visit their Facebook page for more information Cost: free and low cost food |
| Holy Spirit Church, Denton
Address: Holy Spirit Church, West Denton, Dunblane Crescent, West Denton, NE5 2BE Mobile number: 0799 001 9355 |
Lunch club with a 2 course meal and hot drinks are available. | Open: the last Friday of the Month 12.30pm to 4pm.
Who is it for: people in Newcastle How to use it: Call to book a place Cost: Costs £4
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The Bread and Butter Thing (Byker) Address: ACANE, 1 Raby Way, Byker, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE6, 2FF Textphone: 07860 063304 Website: breadandbutterthing.org |
Weekly low cost food bags with fruit and veg, fridge favourites and cupboard staples.
Vegetarian options are available. They accept Healthy Start Vouchers |
Who is it for: people in Newcastle
Book your food club order before 10am on Mondays Text 07860 063304 your full name, postcode and BYKER where you’re collecting from.) Or register as a member on their website. Select the size of your food bag You’ll be sent a text every Wednesday to confirm if you would like to place an order that Friday. Reply ‘YES’ by 10am Thursday to secure your shopping. Collect and pay for your bag from ACANE in Byker at 2pm Friday. How much does it cost: Membership is free. Bags costa are £5 for individuals, £8.50 for family, £17 for Large family |
Saturdays and Sundays
| Name | What’s available | How to access |
| The People’s Kitchen
Address: The Allison Centre, 56 Bath Lane, NE4 5SQ Telephone: 0191 222 0699 Website: peopleskitchen.co.uk Email: info@peopleskitchen.co.uk |
Free hot meal for people who are homeless or vulnerable.
Sleeping bags, warm clothing and toiletries are also available |
Time: Monday to Friday 6.30pm to 8.30pm
Saturday and Sunday 9.30am to 11.30am Who can use it: adults How: drop in Cost: free |
Low cost cafes
The Magic Hat rescues surplus food destined for landfill. You can buy meals and snacks at their café in Newcastle City Centre and rescued food.
West End Women and Girls run Edible Elswick and West End Community Bakery
Pottery Bank Community Centre low cost Community Café open Monday to Friday 8am to 2pm
See our article on Food and friends for more details on community cafes and low cost meals.
Cookery classes
Men’s Pie Clubs are about local guys, making pies. They bring local men together to make, cook and eat pies in Newcastle upon Tyne. The clubs are free to attend, and they operate a drop-in policy so feel free to go along whenever you like. The run sessions at 4 different venues. Visit their listing for more details
Big River Bakery offer baking classes Monday to Saturday. They crowdfund to support people in Newcastle with baking classes. You can also pay for classes.
Nourish Food School run a range of free cooking skills sessions and training courses for everyone. There is a small charge for some classes which helps to fund the service. They have hubs in Westerhope and Ouseburn.
West End Women and Girls Centre run a women’s cookery club on Fridays.
Other food support in Newcastle
Visit our pages on:
- Food help in Newcastle
- Food banks in Newcastle for Emergency Food Parcel information
- Help with food shopping or prescriptions
- If you are self-isolating due to Covid and struggling to get the food you need, you can contact the council’s Welfare and Wellbeing Team
Free or pay as you feel hot drinks
BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art, Gateshead offers pay as you feel hot drinks and snacks, a picnic area, free Wi Fi and phone charging points in their Café area. It is a warm space where you can spend time for free.
Ikea free tea or coffee Monday to Friday Ikea Family Members can get a free hot drink in their restaurant. Show your card to claim the offer.
Supermarket discounts and offers
Discounts for older people
Iceland, is a supermarket that sells frozen food, gives a 10% discount to people over 60 years old on Tuesdays when buying food in store. To get the discount you need to show your: bus pass, Drivers License or Senior railcard at the till.
Asda in store café ‘winter warmer’ for people over 60 years old to help with the cost-of-living crisis. Buy soup, a roll and unlimited tea and coffees for £1 in any of its 205 cafes, all day and every day throughout November and December.
Discounts for children
Asda in store café £1 for any kids’ meal at Asda Cafés. You don’t have to buy an adult meal at the same time. You can get a free baby food pouch for babies under 18 months with any purchase. Over 60’s get 10% off on Wednesdays.
Ikea all kids’ meals cost 95p or £1.50. You pay 95p for a children’s meal or £1.50 for the meal deal. The deal includes one hot meal, a jelly, a soft drink, and a piece of fruit.
Morrisons supermarket has a permanent ‘kids eat free’ offer at their instore café. To get this offer you need to buy an adult meal which costs over £4.99.
Refill water bottles for free
Refill helps you to find places to refill your water bottle for free. There’s over 300 places in Newcastle to get free tap water. Look out for the blue ‘Refill’ sticker in the shop window to see which shops are part of the Refill scheme. You can also find places to take your own containers for discounted take away coffee and food.
Support for families and children
If you receive certain benefits you can access additional food support for your children.
Healthy Start Scheme
NHS Healthy Start Scheme is for people who are pregnant or have children under the age of 4, who receive certain benefits. You get a free prepaid card that’s topped up every 4 weeks to buy:
- plain liquid cow’s milk
- fresh, frozen and tinned fruit and vegetables
- fresh, dried and tinned pulses
- infant formula milk based on cow’s milk
- You can also collect free Healthy Start vitamins.
You can use the card in shops that accept Mastercard payments and sell at least one of these Healthy Start foods.
Find out if you are eligible and how to apply on the NHS Healthy Start Website.
Free school meals
Free school meals are available to children whose parents receive certain benefits and are at:
- government funded schools, full time, up to the age of 19,
- or in a nursery class or nursery school and attending for full days.
The government has temporarily extended free school meals to families with no recourse to public funds during the coronavirus pandemic.
Find out if you’re eligible for free school meals and how to apply on Newcastle.gov.uk
School holidays
Children who receive free school meals during term time because they’re eligible, will receive up to £90 of food vouchers for the summer holidays. This will be arranged by the child’s school. Newcastle City Council will contact those who are registered to receive free meals who don’t have a school place.
Early years children (3 and 4 year olds in Newcastle) who receive a funded free early years entitlement for their place at either school, pre-school playgroup, day nursery or childminder. And meet the criteria for free school meals, should also be offered a food voucher by their early years provider.
Free holiday activities
Holiday Activities run the ‘Newcastle Best Summer / Spring / Winter Ever’ schemes. The free school holiday activity scheme in Newcastle for 4 to 16 year olds. This support is for families who receive free school meals. Community organisations across Newcastle provide free activity sessions and a meal for your child. You can choose from a range of fun, educational and sociable activities such as: sport, art, and culture. Newcastle City Council and StreetGames are working with community partners to give children and young people in Newcastle a happy and enjoyable school holidays. Visit their website for more information about the activities available, where they’re taking place and how to book.
Universal free school meals for Reception children, Year 1 and Year 2
Universal free school meals are available to all children in government funded schools in Reception, Year 1 or Year 2. You don’t have to apply for universal free school meals and you do not have to receive benefits to be eligible for them. It is for all children aged 4 to 8 years old. This does not mean you are eligible for the school holiday vouchers. The vouchers are for children who meet the eligibility criteria for free school meals mentioned above.
Please note: Your child and their school may be able to get extra help if you get one of the qualifying benefits for free school meals. Apply for free school meals so that the council can check if your child is eligible for the extra help, even if your child is in reception, year 1 or year 2.
Cost of living help and support from Newcastle City Council
Newcastle City Council’s Cost of Living website has information about where to get help and support on a range of issues. This includes with:
- Benefits, debt, money and energy advice
- Housing support
- Wellbeing Hubs – a directory of places offer support. This includes community centres and libraries where people can go to stay warm while accessing free wi-fi, help and advice, learning new skills and taking part in activities such as cookery classes. You can also register your service as a Hub here.
- Help with school and learning costs, free childcare
- Council tax discounts and exemptions
- Crisis support and emergency funds
You can contact the Cost of Living Helpline at Newcastle City Council for help and support. You can complete their online form to ask for help or call the free helpline. They can signpost you to local help and support including:
- emergency food parcels
- wellbeing hubs: warm spaces in the local community where you can spend time and enjoy facilities such as Wi-Fi, hot drinks or food.
- help to mange your electricity or gas payments
Winter Wellbeing Hubs
Wellbeing Hubs are a warm welcoming place to spend time in Newcastle. Local venues, such as libraries and community centres, offer a range of support such as hot drinks, free Wi-Fi, place to charge your devices, information, advice and more.
Visit Newcastle.gov.uk to find what support is available at a hub near you.
Read more about Cost of living help and support on InformationNOW and Keeping warm and well in winter.
Homeless people
The People’s Kitchen give free hot meals sleeping bags, warm clothing and toiletries to homeless and vulnerable people.
Joseph Cowen Healthcare Centre offer access to healthcare for people who are street homeless or in temporary accommodation who cannot access mainstream healthcare services. At these sessions you can access a doctor, bathing facilities and hot drinks.
Read more about help in Newcastle if you’re worried about becoming homeless or you are homeless.
Asylum seekers and Refugees
There are voluntary groups and charities who support refugees and asylum seekers. There are a number of drop in services (turn up without an appointment) in Newcastle where food, drinks, food parcels and essential items are available. Read more about local support for Asylum Seekers and Refugees
North Tyneside
The Cedarwood Trust is a community centre in the Meadow Well, North Shields. They run a range of community services including a low cost food shop called The Nourish Store. Members can join for £1. A weekly shop costs £4 and you get up to £15 worth of goods. You can pay an extra £1.50 for fresh fruit and vegetables
The services listed on this page are provided by organisations independent to the council. We update this information regularly, but opening times and availability can change. Opening times are different during bank holidays and over Christmas and New Year. Before attending a session we recommend you check it is running and that you’re eligible to receive the service. Some services are only for adults or rough sleepers. Please note there may be a limit to the number of times you can access a service due to high demands in Newcastle. You can read more about InformationNOW’s Terms and Conditions.
Last updated: November 20, 2023
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