The Guernsey Welfare Service provide a range of practical help and solutions to a variety of people who may find themselves in financial need.
The welfare service support people who are working and on low incomes, not just those on benefits and may include single-parent families, pensioners, people with disabilities or long-term medical conditions and families who may find themselves with unexpected medical or household bills that put them in financial difficulty.
Foodbank
The Guernsey Welfare Service operate the largest food bank in Guernsey providing practical help to those in need. This is the best way they can help people as quickly as possible. They have very generous donors and usually a well stocked cupboard of essential store cupboard items such as tea, cereal, pasta, tuna, soup, beans, vegetables, fruit, puddings, jam, biscuits, sugar and squash. They also have some fresh items, both bought in and from supermarket excess. In addition they also often have baby items such as nappies, wipes, and other toiletries.
The Welfare Service have a dedicated store room at the Guernsey Welfare Centre, based at The Caves, Upper Mansell Street. You can pop in for a cuppa and a chat during their opening hours -
Monday 9am - 1pm
Tuesday 9am - 1pm
Wednesday 9am - 1pm
Thursday 2pm - 6pm
Friday 9am - 1pm
Further information on the foodbank available at guernseywelfare.com.
Foodbank on The Bridge
They also now offer a pop-up foodbank service just off the Bridge every Tuesday 9am-1pm. If you live in the area, pop in to see the team, get yourself a cuppa, or seek assistance if you need it. They are located between Fletchersports and Rendezvous at 1 on New Road, St Sampsons.
Vouchers
The Welfare Service can provide practical help to those in need through the issuing of vouchers for essential commodities such as fresh food, heating, household necessities, baby formula and nappies, baby equipment and children’s clothing.
They are mindful that they do not want people to become dependent on the Welfare Service, so are unable to help with vouchers too regularly or in large amounts.
Further information about the vouchers available at guernseywelfare.com.
Household items
The Welfare Service also have a small store stocked with household items such as bedding, curtains, pots and pans, crockery, cutlery etc. If you have recently set up your own home and are in need of such items then please get in touch to see how they can help.
Further information about the household items scheme is available at guernseywelfare.com.
Life Skills Sessions
If you are in need of some help - managing your money, basic cooking ideas, sewing etc, get in touch with the Welfare Service who can look at running a session for you.
They also have a jobs' notice board and can help you with an application or filling out a form.
The Life Skills sessions take place either at the Guernsey Welfare Centre or at Trinity Church Centre and are all free of charge.
If you'd like to find out more, please contact Rose, Life Skills Co- Ordinator on 07839 188180 or email lifeskills@welfare.gg.
How to Register with the Welfare Service
The Welfare Service operates a client based system and ask people to register with them to use their service.
To register yourself, you are welcome to drop into the welfare office at The Caves during opening hours. You will be asked a number of questions regarding your family and financial status to see whether you meet the criteria for help.
Please allow at least 20 minutes for this first visit and bear in mind you may have to wait as they operate a drop-in system so you can’t make an appointment. If you arrive too near to closing time they may not have time to register you, so try to get there early. You will need to have a clear idea of your income and expenditure and may find it helpful to bring along copies of your latest pay slip, rent payment, bank statement, benefit receipt etc.
The welfare service will take referrals from both individuals and support workers.
Further information about how to register available by calling 07839 724300.
Further Help & Information
Further information, help and advice is available at the Guernsey Welfare Service.
Website - https://guernseywelfare.com/
Telephone - 07839 724300
Email - info@welfare.gg
The Welfare Service is located at The Caves, Upper Mansell Street, St Peter Port, GY1 1LY.
Opening Times at the Caves
Monday 9am - 1pm
Tuesday 9am - 1pm
Wednesday 9am - 1pm
Thursday 2pm - 6pm
Friday 9am - 1pm