There is a wide range of cost of living support services offered by the council and partner community organisations in Merton. Please find below more information about the services’ seasonal opening hours.

Please check for any closures before visiting services in-person.

Merton Civic Centre – Merton Link

Our friendly team at the council’s reception (Merton Link) can help with enquiries including benefits, Council Tax Support and housing. Merton Link is normally open from Monday-Friday from 9am-5pm. It will be closed on the bank holidays: Monday 25, Tuesday 26 December and Monday 1 January.

Food support

Merton’s food support services such as the Community Fridge and Wimbledon Foodbank are operating seasonal opening hours. To view these, please visit our Foodbanks Timetable webpage.

Community Hub helpline

The Community Hub helpline for cost of living advice and support (020 8066 4086) is normally open from Monday-Friday from 10am-4pm. The helpline will be closed on the bank holidays: Monday 25, Tuesday 26 December and Monday 1 January.

Warm Spaces

‘Warm Spaces’ at Merton’s libraries provide a warm welcome to anyone who would like a place to spend time out of the cold. You can view seasonal opening hours on the Merton Libraries webpage.

Find more information about Warm Spaces on the council’s webpage.

Citizens Advice cost of living service

Citizens Advice Merton & Lambeth (CAML) operate a cost of living debt, benefits and money advice service in Merton’s libraries and Wide Way Medical Centre. The service will be closed between Monday 25 December and Monday 1 January inclusive.

Find more information about the CAML cost of living support service here.

Mental Health Support

Merton Uplift can help those experiencing emotional difficulties or mental health issues. The service is a partnership between the NHS and local voluntary sector organisations and is for anyone living in Merton or registered with a Merton GP, 18 years old and over.

The Merton Uplift phone line is normally open from Monday – Friday from 9am-5pm, and will be closed on the bank holidays: Monday 25, Tuesday 26 December and Monday 1 January.

People can self-refer via an online form and find more information on the Merton Uplift webpage.

A number of national charities provide online advice and helpline support to those facing mental health issues and isolation over Christmas. See this useful list from mental health charity Mind.

In a mental health emergency, the NHS’s urgent mental health helpline is available on 0800 028 8000. This service is provided by the South West London and St Georges Mental Health NHS Trust.

Cost of living Hub

For cost of living advice and information in Merton visit: merton.gov.uk/CostOfLiving