Financial and digital inclusion

We are committed to supporting you to live well in your home. This means helping you to access affordable food, furniture and school uniforms that can improve your standard of living. If you need support with using digital technology we can also help you to stay connected.

Cost of living support

In May 2022, the government announced support to help people with the cost of living.

Other schemes and initiatives

photo of a sofa Affordable furniture  

For some tenants, the cost of paying for essential household items upfront can be difficult without taking out high-cost credit.

If you are a new or existing tenant you can rent a range of items for your home at an affordable weekly cost, via the Sutton Tenants Appliance Rental Scheme (STARS), including:

  • two-seater sofas
  • tables and chairs
  • beds
  • cookers
  • fridges and fridge freezers, and more.

Each item of furniture has an equivalent points value. Residents currently need a minimum of 60 points to be eligible for this scheme. 

Please take a look at the NFS website to find out how many points each item is worth

The hire of the items will be added to your weekly rent charge and can be paid for by Housing Benefit or Universal Credit.

If you are interested in the scheme please email communitydevelopment@suttonhousingpartnership.org.uk or call 020 8915 2000.

Debt advice

If you need debt advice please contact Citizens Advice Sutton on 020 3463 1913 or email debtadvice@citizensadvicesutton.org.uk. Their team of specialist, expert debt advisers can provide the full range of debt advice services, including Debt Relief Orders. Please note, this phone number is only for debt advice only – if you need advice on other issues please call their main number on 020 8405 3552 Monday to Friday 9am–5pm.

You can also visit our support with debt webpage for more information.

Free school uniform (Sutton Community Uniform Shop)

We all know how quickly children grow out of school uniforms and how expensive it can be to buy them.

Sutton Community Services have set up a free school uniform shop (for children aged 4-18 years) that covers most Sutton schools (depending on donations). There is no criteria and the shop is open to all families who live in the London Borough of Sutton who may be experiencing difficulties buying school uniforms. 

For more information please email suttoncommunityuniform@sutton.gov.uk or call 020 8770 6000.

Food and household items

If you are an SHP resident and struggling financially, the St Helier Community Food Shop can support you to access affordable food and targeted support. 

For £3 a week you can receive approximately £15 worth of food and household essentials, including meat, poultry, fresh fruit and vegetables, long-life packets and tin foods.

Sign up to become a member of the St Helier Community Food Shop

Get help to buy food and milk

If you’re more than 10 weeks pregnant or have a child under 4, you may be entitled to get help to buy healthy food and milk through the NHS Healthy Start scheme.

If you’re eligible, you’ll be sent a Healthy Start card with money on it that you can use in some UK shops. They will add your benefit onto this card every 4 weeks.

Support with digital technology

We want our residents to feel supported and confident to be able to use services online. 

Our monthly Tech and Tea workshops can help you if you need support with things like learning how to use the internet safely, online shopping, setting up email accounts, basic digital skills and much more.

Even if you don't have a device you can still come along and receive help from one of our trained Digital Champions or we can arrange a home visit if you are unable to attend.

All residents are welcome.

Find out more about our Digital Champions programme