Cost of Living Project
Make an appointment with our Cost of Living Coordinator, who can help guide you through the money maze.
Our Cost of Living project supports disabled people with complex needs by:
- Providing welfare benefits and debt advice
- Maximising your income
- Improving your financial independence
- 1 to 1 sessions and group workshops
- Training more disabled people to use the internet to take part in community life and acquire new skills to maximise income opportunities
- Involving disabled people in the management and delivery of our services
The project is funded by the National Lottery Community Fund.
Meet the Team
Allison Gill, Cost of Living Coordinator
Hello, my role is to support you with all things financial from benefit enquiries and tribunals, to claiming housing benefits, or helping bring your bills down. My aim is to help you stop worrying about money, and to teach you life skills to support you going forward with budgeting, food planning, and helping you make sense of your money. Outside of work, I love reading, coffee, stationary and curling up with my two cats.
You can contact me by phone, text and Whatsapp on 07714 686723 Or by email at allison.gill@bromleymencap.org or costofliving@bromleymencap.org.
Martin Kelly, Digital Champion
I am one of the two Digital Champions working at Bromley Mencap. My role is to try and make people’s lives easier during the Cost of Living Crisis, showing folk how to shop smart, make budgets, and use applications for shops and companies such as Morrisons and Lidl on phones and tablets. Outside of working hours, I have a relatively big family that take up a fair bit of my time, and I practice yoga during school term times.
Lee McPherson, Digital Champion
I love to help people in need. I have brilliant digital skills which I can pass over to people to improve their IT skills. My main goal is to put a smile on people’s face
Service Leaflets
Cost of Living Courses
We run two Cost of Living Courses as well as monthly workshops. Please check the events tab for upcoming dates or contact costofliving@bromleymencap.org for more information.
Cost of Living Budgeting Course
The aim of the Cost of Living Budgeting Course is to help our members:
- Learn how to budget for essentials
- Plan spending
- Gain digital skills with the support of our Digital Champions
Download our Cost of Living Course Flyer
Cost of Living Cooking Course
The aim of the Cost of Living Cooking Course is to help our members learn how to plan, budget and prepare healthy, budget-friendly meals.
Cost of Living Service Leaflet
Correspondence Drop-In
Our Cost of Living Drop-In Service is every Friday at our Bromley Mencap Office at Rutland House.
You’re welcome to pop in anytime between 10am and 4pm (no appointment needed) for help with cost of living correspondence, applications, or any digital/tech support you might need.
Our partners from Bromley Well will also be on hand to help with:
- Blue Badge and Freedom Pass applications
- Universal Credit migration
- Council Tax
For more information, please contact Allison Gill:
Email: allison.gill@bromleymencap.org
Phone: 020 8466 0790 / 07714 686723
Weekly Correspondence Drop-in Flyer
Digital Drop-In
Our Digital Drop-In runs every Friday at the Bromley Mencap office at Rutland House.
You’re welcome to pop in between 10am and 3pm for friendly, practical support from our Digital Champions, Lee and Martin.
They can help with things like using phones, tablets, iPads and laptops, setting up and using email, accessibility settings, online shopping and subscriptions, forgotten passwords, account security, and spotting and blocking scam messages.
You can drop in for general support or ask about a one-to-one appointment.
Please note: We can help with using devices and online accounts, but we cannot provide benefits advice.
For more information, please contact Bromley Mencap:
Email: enquiries@bromleymencap.org
Phone: 020 8466 0790
Cost of Living Podcast
Sharing skills, stories and savings
Our fortnightly show will share valuable tips and insights on all things financial and digital. If you’d like to take part and become a podcast star yourself, please get in touch with Allison.
July 2026
August 2026
September 2026
Resources
Cost of Living Quiz
Test your knowledge with our Cost Of Living Quiz.
Cost of Living Service: Useful Telephone Contacts
Step-by-Step Video Guides to the NHS App
How to Download the NHS App
How to Request Repeat Prescriptions on the NHS App
Step-by-Step Video Guide to the Uber App
Step-by-Step Guide to Supermarket Loyalty Cards
Step-by-Step Video Guide to Navigating & Transport Apps
Guide to Universal Credit Claim
Smart Speaker Guides: Alexa and Siri
Ways Siri Can Help
Ways Alexa Can Help
How to Install VPN (Virtual Private Network)
A VPN (Virtual Private Network) helps keep you safer online by encrypting your internet connection and hiding your IP address. This is especially useful on public Wi-Fi (cafés, stations, hotels), where your data could otherwise be intercepted. A VPN doesn’t make you invincible: it won’t stop scams, viruses or dodgy links, and websites can still track you through cookies or your account logins.
When to use a VPN
-
Public/shared Wi-Fi (cafés, libraries, hotels)
-
Extra privacy at home or on mobile data
-
Accessing your home network securely while travelling
When a VPN won’t help
-
Phishing/scams (don’t click suspicious links)
-
Malware (you still need antivirus and updates)
-
If a site/account is already compromised
How to use (3 steps)
- Install the VPN app on your device.
- Sign in and press Connect (the app picks a server).
- Look for a connected icon/“VPN” badge, then browse as normal.
Need to know
Who is the service for?
Disabled people, their families and carers.
Duration and days?
Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm
How to contact?
By telephone 020 8466 0790
Cost
Free
Get in Touch
For more information, please contact us on
020 8466 0790; Email enquiries@bromleymencap.org
or use our online enquiry forms.
