Cowdenbeath Area

Cost of living support

Cowdenbeath Area

To help with the rising cost of living there's a range of support in the local area.

While every effort has been made to provide accurate and up-to-date information on this website, this may be subject to change at short notice. Always double-check before heading out.

Staying Safe and Keeping Well

The ‘Staying Safe and Keeping Well’ booklet contains useful tips and information which anyone in Fife can use when trying to cope with difficult times.

Download booklet

Foodbanks and community cafés

Below is a list of locations and organisations supporting the people of Fife by providing short term access to emergency food and support for people experiencing a crisis.

  • Benarty Food Angels

    Benarty Centre, Ballingry Road, Ballingry, KY5 8JH
    Food Parcels
    Meal in a bag with recipe
    Opening hours: Every Tuesday from Benarty Centre, 1pm - 2pm
    Please note: This will not run when Cafe Inc is in operation in the school holidays
    Free
    www.facebook.com/Benarty-Food-Angels-103963191522887/
    benartyfoodangels@gmail.com
  • Benarty Food Bank

    BRAG Centre, Main Street, Crosshill, Lochgelly, KY5 8BJ
    Food Bank
    We provide a minimum of three days' nutritionally balanced, tinned and dried food donated by the local community.
    Opening hours: Monday, Wednesday and Friday 4pm-6pm
    Free
    www.trusselltrust.org/get-help/find-a-foodbank/dunfermline/
    info@dunfermline.foodbank.org.uk
    07580 231286
  • Cardenden Community Fridge

    Bowhill Community Centre, 145 Station Road, Cardenden, KY5 0BW
    Community Fridge/Larder/Pantry
    The fridge is open to anyone who requires the service and runs on a free membership system.Members can choose essential grocery items based on need and the number in their household. Volunteers pack chosen items into bags for each member. On Fridays we offer a pre-cooked takeaway meal and any meals not given out are frozen and distributed on Mondays.
    Opening hours: Monday 1-3pm and Friday 2-4pm. 
    Free
  • Cowdenbeath Food Bank

    Fountain Meeting Rooms, Broad Street, Cowdenbeath, KY4 8JA
    Food Bank
    Referral needed for food parcels.Your local food banks work with referral agencies to issue food vouchers to those in need of emergency food in times of crisis.We provide a minimum of three days' nutritionally balanced, tinned and dried food donated by the local community.
    Opening hours: Tues & Thurs 4-6pm
    Free
    www.trusselltrust.org/get-help/find-a-foodbank/dunfermline/
    info@dunfermline.foodbank.org.uk
    07580 231286
  • Lo'gelly Lunches

    Town Hall, Bank St, Lochgelly, KY5 9RE
    Community Café
    Community Café - Offering lunch for you to drop in and have a bite to eat, relax and have a chat. Enjoy some homemade soup, sandwiches and home baking with a tea/coffee. Community Larder - offering groceries, toiletries and pre-cooked home meals. Our service operates a delivery and drop-in service. There is also Welfare Support staff available at this time.
    Opening hours: Community Café open every Tuesday 11am - 1pm Community Larder open every Friday 10am - 1pm
    Free
    www.facebook.com/Logelly-Lunches-359811728217548/
  • MAX's Meals

    Maxwell Centre, 70 Stenhouse Street, Cowdenbeath, KY4 9DD
    Community Fridge/Larder/Pantry
    Pop in and collect a variety of FREE Prepared meals and other items from our community fridge and larder – Everyone welcome😊
    Opening hours: Thursday from 12.00pm -1pm. 
    Free
  • Max’s Light Bites

    Maxwell Centre, 70 Stenhouse Street, Cowdenbeath, KY4 9DD
    Community Café
    Free soup or stovies (eat in), chat with others find out about groups and courses, volunteering and welfare support advice if required. Recipe cards are also available, and advice on cooking within a budget.
    Opening hours: Mondays 1-2.30pm
  • Oor Wee Café

    Kelty Community Centre, Main Street, Kelty, KY4 0AQ
    Community Café
    Oor Wee café has 2 provisions running every Tuesday from 11.30 - 1pm. A community cafe in one room and a food provision in the other room, The community café is a sit in café where customers get a hot meal, tea/coffee and cake. It works on a pay what you can afford basis (donations) The grocery provision is a provision with take away cooked meals and groceries such as tins, pet food, toiletries etc are on offer to take away. This also works on a pay what you can afford basis. Both are open to anyone that wants to use them. Everyone is welcome.
    Opening hours: Tuesday 11:30-1pm
    Donation
    www.facebook.com/OorWeeCafe/
    oorweecafe@yahoo.com
    07563 380176
  • S.H.I.E.L.D


    Surplus Food
    Surplus Food Waste is a community group that works with supermarkets and retailers to provide much needed surplus food waste to those who need it most. We do this by organising surplus popups in public community areas.
    Opening hours: Information of pop up locations with dates and times available on Facebook page
    Donation
    www.facebook.com/groups/shieldsurplus
  • Salvation Army

    Stenhouse Street, Cowdenbeath, KY4 9DD
    Food Parcels
    Emergency Food Support
    Opening hours: drop in’ facility on a Tuesday between 10-12.
    Free
    cowdenbeath@salvationarmy.org.uk
    01383 513384 OR 07741906029
  • The Clearing

    239 High Street, Cowdenbeath, KY4 9QF
    Food Parcels
    Meal in a bag on a Monday, scheme, whereby we measure out the ingredients for a family meal, give everything required, including recipe, advice on nutrition and budgeting and extra food. Opportunity to come and cook the food with help from our cook. Food for Families" on Fridays from 10am till 1pm at the Clearing when we give fresh food and household supplies to families. Call 07802414418 to register for this.
    Opening hours: Monday 11am -1pm, Fridays from 10am till 1pm
    Please note: Over the summer we will be closed from 6th to 19th July, and also from 3rd to 16th August.
    Free
    www.facebook.com/streetpastorbase
    theclearing@btinternet.com
    07802 414418
  • The Pantry @BRAG

    Crosshill Community Enterpise Centre, Main Street, Crosshill, KY5 8BJ
    Community Fridge/Larder/Pantry
    Pantry Shop where customers can choose ten items from the shelves or fridges plus help themselves to as much bread, vegetables, nappies and sanitary products that they need. The cost is still £3 for to use the shop and £4 for deliveries.
    Opening hours: Thursday 1pm - 3pm
    Please note: Food and other household goods, welfare, employment and business support.
    £3
    www.facebook.com/bragenterprises
    enquiries@brag.co.uk

Cafe Inc

Cafe Inc is a free lunch club for children, young people and families in Fife. No need to book, no criteria, free for all. Venues across Fife. Just pop in and grab a bag of tasty food to go.

  • Benarty Primary School

    67-69 Lochleven Road, Ballingry, Lochore, Lochgelly KY5 8HU
    Hot meals and cold packed lunches
    Availability:
     Monday 9 October to Friday 13 October
     Monday 16 October to Friday 20 October
     11:45am - 1pm
  • Bowhill Centre

    145 Station Rd, Cardenden, Lochgelly KY5 0BW
    Hot meals and cold packed lunches
    Availability:
     Monday 9 October to Friday 13 October
     Monday 16 October to Friday 20 October
     11:45am - 1pm
  • Cowdenbeath Primary School

    45 Broad St, Cowdenbeath KY4 8JP
    Hot meals and cold packed lunches
    Availability:
     Monday 9 October to Friday 13 October
     Monday 16 October to Friday 20 October
     11:45am - 1pm
  • Crossgates Community Centre

    2 Inverkeithing Rd, Crossgates, Cowdenbeath KY4 8AL
    Hot meals and cold packed lunches
    Availability:
     Monday 9 October to Friday 13 October
     Monday 16 October to Friday 20 October
     11:45am - 1pm
  • Hill of Beath Community Centre

    Main St, Hill of Beath, Cowdenbeath KY4 8DP
    Hot meals and cold packed lunches
    Availability:
     Monday 9 October to Friday 13 October
     Monday 16 October to Friday 20 October
     11:45am - 1pm
  • Kelty Primary School

    96 - 102 Main St, Kelty KY4 0AQ
    Hot meals and cold packed lunches
    Availability:
     Monday 9 October to Friday 13 October
     Monday 16 October to Friday 20 October
     11:45am - 1pm
  • Lochgelly Town Hall

    Bank St, Lochgelly KY5 9QN
    Hot meals and cold packed lunches
    Availability:
     Monday 9 October to Friday 13 October
     Monday 16 October to Friday 20 October
     11:45am - 1pm
  • Lumphinnans Bowling Club

    Lumphinnans Bowling Club, Cowdenbeath KY4 9JA
    Cold packed lunches
    Availability:
     Monday 9 October, Wednesday 11 October and Friday 13 October
     Monday 16 October, Wednesday 18 October and Friday 20 October (Mon, Wed, Fri only.)
     11.45am-1pm

Warm Spaces/ Community Assistance

Warm spaces will be established in various venues and settings across the area which are designed to offer safe, warm places for people in our communities to spend time, participate in activities and access support.

  • Benarty Community Centre

    82 Flockhouse Ave, Ballingry, Lochore, Lochgelly KY5 8JH
    Opening hours • Monday: 11am – 3pm • Tuesday: 11am – 3pm • Wednesday: 11am – 3pm • Thursday: 11am – 3pm • Friday: 11am – 3pm
    What's on offer: Free tea/coffee;Free activities;Welfare support advice;
    Free tea/coffee, board games and support information
    https://www.fife.gov.uk/facilities/community-centre/benarty-centre
  • Bowhill Community Centre, Cardenden

    145 Station Rd, Cardenden KY5 0BW
    Opening hours • Monday: 11am – 3pm • Tuesday: 11am – 3pm • Wednesday: 11am – 3pm • Thursday: 11am – 3pm • Friday: 11am – 3pm
    What's on offer: Free tea/coffee;Free activities;Welfare support advice;
    Free tea/coffee, board games and support information
  • Cowdenbeath Leisure Centre

    Pit Road, Cowdenbeath, KY4 9NN
    Opening hours • Thursday: 10.00am - 12.00pm
    What's on offer: Free tea/coffee;Free/low cost food;Free activities;
    We know many people are struggling with rising energy bills this winter, and that’s why we are holding these free sessions to give you extra support during the cold months. Enjoy a hot drink and biscuit, and meet other participants while enjoying optional, informal, social activities like table tennis, indoor curling, board games and short exercise activities.
    https://fifeleisure.org.uk/locations/cowdenbeath/
  • Cowdenbeath Library

    41 High Street, Cowdenbeath, KY4 9QA
    Opening hours • Monday: 10am-12.30pm and 1.30pm-5pm • Tuesday: 10am-12.30pm and 1.30pm-5pm • Thursday: 10am-12.30pm and 1.30pm-6pm • Friday: 10am-12.30pm and 1.30pm-5pm • Saturday: 10am-2pm
    What's on offer: Free tea/coffee;Free activities;
    You’re welcome to read, surf, and have a blether as well as enjoy board games, or just relax and enjoy a free cuppa.
    https://www.onfife.com/libraries-archives/warm-spaces/
    01383 602363
  • Fife Cycle Park

    Glencraig, Lochgelly KY5 8AA
    Opening hours • Monday: 11am – 3pm • Tuesday: 11am – 3pm • Wednesday: 11am – 3pm • Thursday: 11am – 3pm • Friday: 11am – 3pm
    What's on offer: Free tea/coffee;Free activities;Welfare support advice;
    Free tea/coffee, board games and support information
    https://active.fife.scot/locations/cycle-park
  • Hill of Beath Community Hub

    Main Street Hill of Beath KY4 8DP
    Opening hours • Tuesday: 6.15pm - 9.00pm
    What's on offer: Free tea/coffee;Free activities;
    https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064554888132
    hobcc@outlook.com
  • Kelty Community Centre

    90-92 Main St, Kelty KY4 0AQ
    Opening hours • Monday: 11am – 3pm • Tuesday: 11am – 3pm • Wednesday: 11am – 3pm • Thursday: 11am – 3pm • Friday: 11am – 3pm
    What's on offer: Free tea/coffee;Free activities;Welfare support advice;
    Free tea/coffee, board games and support information
    https://www.fife.gov.uk/facilities/community-centre/kelty-community-centre
  • Lumphinnans Bowling Club

    Main Street Lumphinnans KY4 9JB
    Opening hours • Monday: No • Tuesday: 12 noon till 4pm • Wednesday: No • Thursday: No • Friday: 1pm till 5pm, then 7pm till 10pm • Saturday: No • Sunday: No
    What's on offer: Free tea/coffee;Free/low cost food;Free activities;
    We have a pool table, darts, board games, playing cards, dominoes etc all available.
    https://www.lumphinnansbowlingclub.org.uk
    lumphinnansbcsecretary@gmail.com
    07527 934285
    This venue has received Warm Spaces funding
  • Maxwell Centre, Cowdenbeath

    70 Stenhouse St, Cowdenbeath KY4 9DD
    Opening hours • Monday: 11am – 3pm • Tuesday: 11am – 3pm • Friday: 11am – 3pm
    What's on offer: Free tea/coffee;Free activities;Welfare support advice;
    Free tea/coffee, board games and support information
  • Pantry@Brag

    Crosshill Community & Enterprise Centre, Main Street, Crosshill, Fife KY5 8BJ
    Opening hours • Tuesday: 11am - 2.30pm
    What's on offer: Free tea/coffee;Free activities;Free/low cost food;
    Local Community drop-in service with access to free hot drinks/biscuits, hearty bowl of soup and a roll. Offering friendly staff, newspapers, library/book swap, jigsaws and games. Staff will also be on hand to signpost to any other provision/services that may be required.
    https://www.brag.co.uk
    LGronkowska@brag.co.uk
    01592 860296
    This venue has received Warm Spaces funding
  • St Serf's Church Lochgelly

    82 Main Street Lochgelly KY5 9AA
    Opening hours • Thursday: 10am - 2pm
    What's on offer: Free tea/coffee;Free/low cost food;Free activities;
    http://www.stserfschurch.co.uk/
    aileen.christie@churchofscotland.org.uk
    07966 660258
    This venue has received Warm Spaces funding

Local welfare support & Community job clubs

Did you know that we have welfare support staff in the Cowdenbeath area who can offer support on a number of different topics such as:

  • Benefit checking
  • Support with accessing employment
  • Support with completing benefit applications
  • Signposting to crisis grants and financial support

Community job clubs also provide a space where people can get access to a PC to undertake job searches, create and develop CVs and apply for jobs. Our staff will be able to offer advice on most aspects of searching and applying for work.

Our staff are available at the times below, or you can contact them direct:

LocationDayTime Contact number
Lochgelly Centre Tuesday 10am to 12pm Edward 07515 290119
Benarty Community Centre Tuesday 2pm to 4pm Edward 07515 290119
Bowhill Community Centre Wednesday 1pm to 3pm Edward 07515 290119
Kelty Community Centre Wednesday 10am to 12pm Linzi 07535 650273
Maxwell Centre, Cowdenbeath Thursday 1pm to 3pm Linzi 07535 650273
Use the map below to find locations and organisations near you.

To view additional map options and information select the icon in the top left corner of the map.Google My Maps open legend icon


Discover local organisations in your area

on your doorstep - opening doors to Fife's communities

www.onyourdoorstepfife.org

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