Privacy settings

Tenancy Support Service

Our Tenancy Sustainment Service offers person-centred support to help you successfully maintain your tenancy and access services to help you achieve your goals and move forward with your life.

We have a team of Tenancy Sustainment Officers who work with council and private sector tenants. You can refer yourself into the service in several ways:

​

On this page

— Digital inclusion project
— Community Hubs
— Support for council tenants
       Assist grant
       Food and fuel vouchers
       Crisis food provision
       Hoarding support
— Support for private rented tenants
— Support for older people
— Money and debt support
       Financial Inclusion Officer
       Citizens Advice
       Money and benefits
       Debt
— Wellbeing support
       Sheltered Housing wellbeing activities programme
       Warm Spaces
       Mental health
       Physical health
       Learning and engaging
       Digital connection

Digital inclusion project

Are you struggling with your tablet / laptop / smart phone or need some one-on-one IT support? Our free Digital Drop-In Sessions are a great place to access expert assistance for all your tech-related questions and challenges.

These take place:

  • Every second Tuesday of the month 10.00am – 12.pm at King Harold Court, Residents Lounge, Christchurch Street, Winchester, SO23 9SA.
  • Every first Thursday of the month 12:30 - 14:30 at Winchester City Council Offices, Colebrook Street, Winchester, SO23 9LJ.
  • Every first Friday of the month 10.00am - 12pm at Makins Court, Windsor Road, Alresford, Winchester, SO24 9HX.

What to expect:

  • Open to all - Digital Drops-Ins are open to everyone.
  • 1-to-1 IT Support - our Digital Champions are here to help you with any tech-related questions or issues you have, whether it's setting up a new tablet/ laptop, discovering how to stay safe online, or learning how to use websites.
  • Bring your own device - you can bring your smartphone, tablet, laptop, or any other digital gadget you need help with. Our Digital Champions are well-versed in a wide range of devices and platforms. If you don't have your won device, we can provide laptops to use at the session.
  • Friendly and patient staff - we understand that technology can be daunting, but the Digital Champions are patient, friendly, and dedicated to helping you at your own pace.
  • No cost involved - our Digital Drop-In Sessions are free. We believe in making tech support accessible to everyone.

For any enquiries about the Digital Drop-Ins, please get in touch:

Community Hubs

Join us for a free cup of tea and a bite to eat at one of our Community Hubs at Wickham or Winchester. Have a friendly chat with our officers about any issues relating to benefits, housing, and wellbeing. For informal guidance, information and sign-posting for anyone looking for support around the cost of living.

These take place:

  • Every first Monday of the month 2.45pm - 4.45pm at Wickham Community Centre, Mill Lane, Wickham, Fareham PO17 5AL.
  • Every third Thursday of the month 10.30am - 12.30pm at Unit 12 Community Food Pantry, Winnall Valley Rd, Winchester SO23 0LD.
  • Every fourth Friday of the Month between 10:00am - 12:00pm at Coffee#1, 2-4 East St, Alresford SO24 9EE.

If you have any access requirements, please don’t hesitate to let us know:

Support for council tenants

Assist grant

The Assist grant for council tenants was set up to offer creative solutions to Winchester City Council tenants who are in financial difficulty, facing an immediate crisis or who would benefit from short-term assistance to achieve success.

A broken washing machine, for example, would for many of us be a financial burden to replace but for those on a very low income it may mean taking out a high street loan and plunging into further debt. Similarly, lack of a phone or sim card may be hampering someone’s ability to get back into work. The Assist Grant can bridge the gap, providing support when you need it most.

Who can apply?

  • Anyone aged 18 or over who is a tenant of Winchester City Council and able to demonstrate a settled residence in the Winchester District.
  • Any tenant who does not have savings or income that can be relied upon to meet the need to which they are presenting.
  • Any tenant who meets the eligibility criteria irrespective of their immigration status.
  • Any tenant who has already exhausted requests by other means such as fuel suppliers, telecommunication services providers, charities or the Department of Work and Pensions.

Referrals are made by your Housing Officer (Income or Tenancy), Sheltered Housing Officer or Tenancy Sustainment Officer so please contact them if you’d like to be considered for an Assist Grant.

Food and fuel vouchers

Food Vouchers are avaiable to support council tenants in emergency need. These are one-off support payments in the form of a voucher or card which expire 6 months after being issued. You can access these when other forms of food/financial support have been exhausted or there is difficulty in accessing alternative support.

Referrals are made by your Housing Officer (Income or Tenancy), Sheltered Housing Officer or Tenancy Sustainment Officer so please contact them if you’d like to be considered for food or fuel vouchers.

Crisis food provision

We run a Pop-up Pantry at Winchester City Council offering crisis food provision from the charity Fareshare to council tenants. If you are in urgent need of food, please contact your Income or Tenancy Housing Officer or Tenancy Sustainment Officer to find out more.

Hoarding Support

We offer a specialist support service for council tenants who are struggling with their possessions in their properties.

You may be struggling with the following:

  • Discarding objects or possessions, regardless of their actual value.
  • Feeling the need to save possessions
  • Feeling overwhelmed, anxious or stressed, when you are trying to reduce your possessions.
  • Accumulating clutter that congests your living areas such as your living room and/or bedroom.

We understand it can be hard to talk to someone about clutter in your home and we’re here to listen and offer help and support. If you’d like more information about this service, please contact us:

Support for private rented tenants

We have a Tenancy Sustainment Officer who works with tenants in private rented accommodation, as well as provided tailored support they also work with landlords to ensure the best possible outcomes for private tenants.

They can also help you apply for the Flexible Prevention Grant and Discretionary Housing Payments if you’re eligible.

If you live in private rented accommodation, you can refer yourself into the service by using the Tenancy Sustainment Referral form, sending us an email or calling us on 01962 848 060 ext 6102.

Support for older people

Our Tenancy Sustainment Service offers support to all tenants of any age in general needs housing. If you live in one of our Sheltered Housing schemes you can access support from our Sheltered Housing Officers:

If you live in one of our Sheltered or alarm linked properties our Sheltered Housing Team can support you with:

  • Getting to know other residents and being involved in your community
  • Accessing services
  • Claiming benefits and maximising income
  • Hoarding
  • Anti-social behaviour and Neighbour nuisance.

If you live alone and are worried about what would happen should you become unwell or have a fall we have a Life Line service that can provide you with an emergency alarm system connected, via a telephone line, to our Alarm Monitoring centre who will be able to summon assistance for you in the event of an emergency.

In addition to our standard alarm, we can also provide falls detectors and GPS enabled pendants that can be worn when out and about making it easy to summon assistance wherever you are.

For more information and charges please contact our Lifeline Officer:

For further information see our page which covers all older person services.

Money and debt support

Financial Inclusion Officer

Our Financial Inclusion Officer, Samantha Lee provides support and guidance’ around money and benefits issues to council tenants, supporting them to build and maintain financial sustainability.

Citizens Advice

We also work closely with Citizens Advice to support tenants around debt issues, if you are experiencing high levels of debt you may benefit from a referral to our Citizen’s Advice Debt Caseworker.

Anyone in Winchester District can access Citizens Advice for free, confidential advice and support. This includes support with debt and other money worries, understanding benefits entitlements and applying for benefits, accessing emergency support such as food banks and energy grants, plus advice on housing and employment rights, relationship queries, immigration, and consumer issues. You can contact them for free:

Money and benefits

You can access expert advice and guidance around money and benefits issues and support around maximising income, budgeting, signposting and referrals to relevant services for debt support by contacting the tenancy sustainment team:

Other places for help and advice on money and benefits:

  • If you are on a low income, you may be entitled to additional financial help. Complete a benefit calculation to find out if you may be eligible.
  • For a step-by-step guide to claiming Universal Credit, you can use our handy UC Tool Helper.
  • The Government's Help for Households website has lots of resources to support households with bills, childcare costs, transport costs, and much more.
  • If you're worried about meeting your housing costs, you may be eligible for Discretionary Housing Payments.
  • The Household Support Fund also has funding available to anyone in Winchester district who is struggling with housing costs. To see if you can access this support, contact 01962 848 163 or email the homelessness team.
  • If you are struggling to top up your pre-payment meter, you may be able to access financial support from the Citizens Advice Bureau. Full details and contact can be accessed by calling 0808 278 7861 visiting Citizens Advice Winchester District.

Wellbeing support

Wellbeing is so much more than just physical health, it’s about opportunities for social interaction, learning new things and meeting new people.

Our Tenant Partnership Team works with tenants on projects which add value to their community focussing on the wellbeing and inclusion of tenants, particularly those identified as vulnerable and / or isolated. If you have any ideas for community projects that could benefits others’ wellbeing, do let us know. You can email your ideas to our Tenant Partnership Team:

Sheltered Housing wellbeing activities programme

This year we introduced a new programme of wellbeing activities and events across our Sheltered Housing Schemes that all residents can take part in. The programme was designed in collaboration with the residents, and seeks to promote emotional and physical wellbeing, opportunities for learning and engagement, and digital connection.

At present, the activities are free for Sheltered Housing residents to attend so they can take the opportunity to try something new and enjoy being in each other’s company. Activities so far include Yoga, gentle Exercise Classes, Weaving and Singing4Health.

Warm Spaces

We are currently working with several community organisations across the district to enhance their provision of Warm Spaces. These spaces enable people to gather in safe spaces to keep warm, socialise and enjoy sharing food together. In addition, members of the Tenancy Sustainment Team and representatives from support services such as the Citizens Advice Bureau will be there so that you can have a friendly, face-to-face chat with anyone that might be able to support your wellbeing needs.

If you would like details of your local Warm Space, please email our Tenant Partnership Team:

Mental health

If you feel your mental health has deteriorated, it is always recommended to speak to your GP. Your GP can sign post to relevant services (either within your GP practice, Primary Care Network – Wellbeing service or social prescribers) or refer to Winchester Community Mental Health Team.

Physical health

Everyone Active’s Health and Wellbeing programme provides an opportunity for people to access a high-quality supervised exercise programme at Winchester Sport and Leisure Park and Meadowside Leisure Centre (Winchester). It targets people who suffer from or are at risk of developing chronic medical conditions and provides support to patients whose health could benefit from a more active lifestyle.

You can be referred by a health professional such as a GP / Practice Nurse / Physiotherapist or, you can refer yourself:

Learning and engaging

We want to support all tenants to access opportunities for learning and engaging. We will be offering a range of programmes that will enable tenants to engage in experiences enhance their wellbeing. We will email details of new projects to all tenants with details of how you can take part.

The University of the Third Age (U3A) is a UK-wide movement of locally run interest groups that provide a wide range of opportunities to come together to learn for fun. Members explore new ideas, skills and activities together.

Digital connection

Improving everybody’s digital connection is a key priority at Winchester City Council. We are currently exploring ways to enable and support tenants to build their digital skills so that they feel able to keep up with technological changes. If you are having any issues getting online or accessing online services, and feel that is impacting your wellbeing, do get in touch and one of team will be able to signpost you to some support.

Ability Net is a UK charity offering free online resources and volunteers to help individuals to use all kinds of digital technology.

​

​

Top
Winchester City Council logo

Cookies Policy

This site uses cookies to store information on your computer.

Some of these cookies are necessary to make the site work. We’d also like to use optional cookies to help improve your experience on the site. You can manage your optional cookie preferences below. Using this tool will set a cookie on your device to remember your preferences. Your preferences can be changed at any time.

Review your privacy settings