Find help now

We are so sorry that you or someone you support is struggling.
Here we will tell you whether we can help, or – if we can’t – where else to turn.

Are you eligible?

Please forgive us having to work within eligibility criteria – we are overwhelmed by the number of families in need so have had to focus – for the moment on the following group of mums and minis:

• Must have a child under school age with them
• Must currently be awaiting their immigration status, and have no recourse to public funds. (We cannot accept those with leave to remain, EU settled status, or those with british citizenship at this time.)
• We cannot accept mums who have income from work, or other sources coming in to the home.

Yes

If you or the mum you are supporting is eligible you don’t need a referral – just turn up to be registered on Mondays and Wednesdays 10am-12pm term time only.

Please note we can pay £3.50 travel money to get to the project.

*Please note our new address from September 9th will be: Grassroots Centre, Memorial Park, Memorial Avenue, West Ham, E15 3DB*

Not sure

As part of our trauma-informed approach, we ask you not to come, or to send mums to us if you aren’t eligible. It is distressing for mums, and for our staff too to see a journey wasted, and hope dashed. So please do check first if anything about our criteria is not clear. If you have any queries about eligibility please email: jules.robertson@themagpieproject.org

No, or the Magpie Project is closed during school holidays.

If you or the mum you are supporting is pregnant and a Newham resident, please refer her to Newham Nurture -The programme supports women through pregnancy and up to two years after birth from low income, migrant and marginalised backgrounds experiencing financial hardship and disadvantage.

If a mum needs a baby bank item, please find your local baby bank here: UK baby banks – Little Village (littlevillagehq.org)

Find a local children centre in Newham here: Newham Families Advice and Support | Best Start in Life (BSiL) Children’s Centres

Or on your local authority website if you are outside of Newham.

If you still need help:

• Have a housing issue – please refer for help from Shelter

• Need immigration advice, please refer for help from Praxis

• Experiencing DV and needs support, please ring the National domestic abuse helpline 24/7 on 0808 2000 247 or online here (nationaldahelpline.org.uk)

• Need mental health support, please refer for help from MIND

Where to go while The Magpie Project is closed

Play:
Find a local children centre in Newham HERE. Or on your local authority website if you are outside of Newham.
Join a library HERE

For a food parcel in Newham: contact Newham Food Alliance – Newham Food Alliance Referral – Your details – Newham Online Forms (achieveservice.com)

Crisis Helplines
All calls are free (available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week)
Medical help: emergencies call 999 (for an ambulance)
Newham Mental Health Crisis Line: 0800 073 0066
Samaritans Helpline – Struggling and need someone to talk to? – 116 123

If you are worried about a child or you are homeless with a child
Call the Multi-agency Safeguarding Hub for: Newham on 0203 373 4600
Redbridge on 020 8708 3885
Barking and Dagenham on 020 8227 3811
 
Support lines and services available:
NHS Non-urgent medical advice (available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week) call 111 NHS 111 online
Newham Health Visiting Service and Family Nurse Team – 0203 373 9983 or healthvisiting@newham.gov.uk
Newham Baby Feeding – 07534 249611
NCT Baby Feeding Support Line (open 8am until midnight 7 days a week) – 0300 330 0770

If you are at risk of homelessness in Newham please visit Newham HPAS at https://www.newham.gov.uk/housing-homes-homelessness/homelessness-prevention-advice/3 or your local councils homelessness prevention service
Debt advice – Our Newham Money – call 020 8430 2041 – https://www.ournewhammoney.co.uk/ – council service Our Newham Money offers Newham residents options on affordable lending and money management.
Project 17 – https://www.project17.org.uk – provides advice, advocacy and support for individuals on housing and financial options for families with no recourse to public funds. Call 07963 509044 or email: info@project17.org.uk
If you are seeking asylum or a refugee find help at One Stop Shop at Stratford Library Thursdays 10am to 2pm: https://services.thejoyapp.com/en/listings/4679-welcome-newham-support-for-refugees-and-asylum-seekers

Account number	A 10-12 digit number given to your bank account. You can find your account number on your online banking page or on bank statements.
Card Number	A 16-digit number with that is found on the front of your debit/credit card.
Credit Card	A credit card doesn’t spend your money. It spends the bank’s money and you must pay it back. This means you can spend more than is in your account, but you might be charged extra for doing this, especially if you are late paying the bank.
Credit Score	A number that records how likely you are to repay your debts. High credit scores are better as it means financial products such as overdrafts and credit cards cost less.
Debit Card	A debit card is a card that lets you take out money from ATMs and make payments in stores or online from your account.
Financial Service Compensation Scheme (FSCS)	An organisation set up to protect the money you put in bank accounts. If you have a current or basic account, the FSCS will pay you up to £85,000 if your bank goes bankrupt.
National Insurance Number (NI)	The number makes sure that the National Insurance contributions and tax you pay are properly recorded on your account. It also acts as a reference number for the whole social security system.
Overdraft	An amount of money you can spend even when you have no money in your account. It is like a small loan from your bank. Overdrafts are often not free, so you need to be very aware what the costs are before using one.
Personal Identification Number (PIN)	A PIN is a 4-digit number that is given to you with a debit card. This is used when taking out money from ATMs or when making in-store purchases with your card. Never share your PIN with anyone as it could be used to commit fraud.
Security Code	A 3-4 digit number found on the back of your debit/credit card in the signature section. This number will be required for nearly all online payments. The code provides an extra layer of security to safeguard you from fraud.
Sort Code	A 6-digit number that is used to identify your bank. You can find your sort code on your online banking platform, on bank statements or on your debit card.
Standing Order	When a fixed amount that you choose is paid from your account to another person or organisation. This is different from the direct debit as the amount that is paid is the same each time.

Saves time – you don’t need to remember to pay a bill.	You need to make sure there is enough money in your account when the direct debit or standing order will be taken. If there is not enough money, you could be charged extra by the bank.
You will get money back for any incorrect payments for direct debits only.	You must remember to cancel standing orders when you want to stop paying someone regularly.
You can cancel a direct debit or a standing order at any time through your online banking account or by contacting your bank.	Sometimes you might think you are setting up a direct debit, but it is actually a recurring payment or continuous payment authority (CPA). Be careful if companies ask for the long number on your card instead of your sort code and account number. This will mean they can take money whenever they think they are owed.

Saves Time	Make sure there is enough money in your account when the direct debit or standing order will be taken. If there is not enough money, you could be charged extra by the bank.
You don’t need to remember to pay a bill	You must remember to cancel standing orders when you want to stop paying someone regularly.
You will get money back for any incorrect payments for direct debits only.	Sometimes you might think you are setting up a direct debit, but it is actually a recurring payment or continuous payment authority (CPA). Be careful if companies ask for the long number on your card instead of your sort code and account number. This will mean they can take money whenever they think they are owed.
You can cancel a direct debit or a standing order at any time through your online banking account or by contacting your bank.


Magpie Mums say: “Always use direct debits if you can, so you don’t forget to pay and are charged. If you can’t use direct debits, make sure you put the dates when you’re supposed to make payments in your phone calendar.” “I’m used to it. It’s easy on the phone. I try to avoid going to banks.”

Bank Examples	Forms of Identity Needed
Metro Bank	Asylum seekers can apply for a cash account and/or savings account. This requires an Application Registration Card (ARC), proof of address and confirmation of asylum seekers support allowance or other income.
Lloyds	You can apply for a Classic Current account with a BRP, ARC or a Home Office Immigration Status document. Refugees and asylum seekers can apply for a ‘Classic current account’. This includes an arranged overdraft. Fees are charged if you go into your overdraft.
Nationwide	You can get a ‘FlexBasic account’ (basic bank account) and an ‘Instant Access saver’ (basic savings account). They accept BRP, ARC and Home Office Immigration Status document.
HSBC	You cannot open a bank account if you are from outside the EU. They accept BRP but NOT ARC. They accept BRP but NOT ARC.
Monzo	Refugees can open a current account with a BRP and their UK address. However, Monzo do not accept ARC. You can get your benefits or salary (depending on your employer) paid into your Monzo account 1 day earlier.