Looking for resources to lower my food and utility costs, where do I start?

Hi everyone,

I'm kai, 33, living in Manchester with my wife and our two kids (6 and 3). I work part-time at a warehouse, and my wife is home with the little one. Money has been very tight for about the last eight months, ever since my hours were cut.

Our biggest struggles right now are:

Groceries: about £90 a week, and it keeps creeping up

Energy bill: roughly £140 a month, and winter is coming

Water and council tax: falling behind by a few weeks each month

Phone and internet: £45 a month, which feels like a lot

Here's what we've already tried. We visited a food bank twice, which helped, but we don't want to rely on it long-term. I made a budget spreadsheet, and we cook in bulk on Sundays. We also switched to store-brand everything. It's helped a little, but we're still short by the end of the month.

What I'm hoping to learn:

Are there assistance programs or community resources you've had good luck with for energy or water bills?

Are there cheaper phone or internet plans for low-income households?

Has anyone found ways to cut grocery costs beyond the usual "buy in bulk" advice?

If you've been through something similar, what helped you get stable over time?

I'm not asking for money or anything like that, just guidance and ideas. I'd rather learn how to get out of this than stay stuck in it. Thank you for reading, and I'm happy to share what works for us.