Check a benefits calculator to see if you’re entitled to anything. There’s some credits and benefits available even if you’re in employment.

Speak to your local council to see if there’s any support they can offer you.

Make an appointment with citizens advice who can potentially refer you on to other agencies and services that may be available.

To some extent, you may have to tell the truth to your children rather than keeping them in the dark. You don’t have to go into great detail, but the basics typically tend to make kids understand, and they probably already have friends who are part of families in similar situations. It might make them understand why there’s less food choice right now or why Christmas may be a little different.

If you have any debts that are making it harder then Stepchange are great at helping you to get things in order too.

Regarding the gas and electricity issues, much of the help is already being paid out. The grants are now being credited to bills over the next 6 months. The cost of living payments have been issued to those eligible. There is SOME help but most is all over now… You’d be looking at spending more time with friends and family or them coming to you in agreements to share the warmth at different times of day, visiting warm spaces once they are open for the winter, and doing your best to cut back where you can - I appreciate none of this is good but unfortunately there’s just not enough support there