Settling in · St Helens
Landing in St Helens? Start here.
The first fortnight in St Helens, in order: the paperwork that has to happen, then the places that make it feel like somewhere you could stay.
Week one and two
The order to do things in
1
Ring your Sama contact when you land
Whoever placed you. Tell them you arrived and that you are all right.
2
Apply for your National Insurance number
You can start work before it arrives, but do not leave it: your tax will be wrong until you have it.
3
Open a bank account
Passport, visa or share code, and proof of address. A letter from your employer usually does it.
4
Get a UK SIM
A local number makes the bank and the GP straightforward.
5
Register with a GP
Free at the point of use. Do it in your first week.
6
Check your tax code with HMRC
Get on the right code early or you will be paying too much for months.
7
Save your share code
You will be asked to prove your right to work and rent more than once.
8
Find the nearest shop, place of worship and club
The part that decides whether you stay, and the part no handbook covers.
Official, and free
Official finders
Run by the State, so they stay current. Search each one for your own town.
Find a GPThe NHS list of GP surgeries, searchable by postcode.Apply for a National Insurance numberYou need one to be taxed correctly. Apply once you are in the UK.Find an NHS dentistHarder than the GP. Start early and ring around.Check your visa and BRP or eVisaView and prove your immigration status online.Find your local police stationEmergency is 999 or 112. Non-emergency is 101.Understand your tax codeCheck what HMRC thinks you earn, so you are not overtaxed for months.Driving on a foreign licenceHow long you may drive on it, and whether it can be exchanged.Renting: know the rulesYour rights as a tenant, deposit protection and what a landlord may and may not do.Citizens AdviceFree, independent help with anything at all.Public transportNational rail and bus times and tickets.
Near you
91 places in St Helens worth knowing in week one
From OpenStreetMap, the map that locals build, plus places our team knows. Every card has a map link. If one has closed or moved, WhatsApp us and it comes down.
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Places of worship
Every faith near you, listed so people can find a community when they arrive. Sama Talent Group is not affiliated with any religion or religious organisation.
Churches
Ormskirk Street United Reformed Church
Christian, Reformed. Hours: 24/7
King Street, St Helens, WA10 2JZ
Holy Cross and St Helen Catholic Church
Christian, Catholic
Corporation Street, St Helens, WA10 1EF
St Helens Baptist Church
Christian, Baptist
Hall Street, St Helens, WA10 1EL
Quaker Meeting House
Christian, Quaker. Hours: Su 10:30-12:00
20B George Street, St Helens, WA10 1BU
St Teresa of Ávila
Christian, Roman catholic. Hours: Mo-Su 09:00-15:00
20 Hewitt Avenue, St Helens, WA10 4ES
Peasley Cross United Reformed Church
Christian, United reformed
4 Beaufort Street, WA9 3BE
About 2 km away
Christ Church
Christian, Anglican. Hours: Fr 09:15-12:00; Su 10:00-12:00
Church Lane, St Helens, WA10 5DA
About 3 km away
St Vincent de Paul Catholic Church
Christian, Catholic. Hours: Th 11:30-11:50
179 Derbyshire Hill Road, St Helens, WA9 2LS
About 3 km away
Mosques and prayer rooms
Jummah Salah in Sanctuary
Muslim. Hours: Fr 13:00-14:00
Warrington Road, L35 5DR
About 5 km away
Hindu temples
Liverpool Ganesh Temple
Hindu. Hours: Mo-Su,PH 09:00-21:00
13 Delfby Crescent, Liverpool, L32 8TN
About 9 km away
Other places of worship
Iglesia ni Cristo
Iglesia ni Cristo, Liverpool
About 20 km away
St Laurence's School, St. Laurence Drive Birkenhead, England CH41 3JD
Worship services: Wed 7:00pm · Sun 11:00am
Iglesia ni Cristo, Manchester
About 29 km away
101 Edge Lane, Stretford, Manchester, M32 8PU
Worship services: Tue 7:00pm · Sat 8:00am (Tagalog) · Sat 11:00am · Sat 1:00pm (children)
Iglesia ni Cristo, Flintshire
About 36 km away
High Street Bagillt Flintshire, North Wales CH6 6HE
Worship services: Tue 6:15pm · Sat 12:00pm · Sat 3:00pm (children)
Addresses and worship service times from the Iglesia ni Cristo directory, checked October 2026. Times can change, so check the locale's own page before you go. directory.iglesianicristo.net
Shops from home
Quality Halal Butcher St Helens
Butcher. Hours: Mo-Sa 09:00-20:00; Su 10:00-20:00
82 Claughton Street, WA10 1SN
Ed & Eve African Caribbean Food Shop and Hair Beauty Salon
Convenience. Hours: Mo-Sa 10:00-20:00
16A Cotham Street, WA10 1SA
Saints Halal Supermarket
Convenience. Hours: Mo-Su 09:00-21:30
49 Bridge Street, WA10 1NW
Everyday Vitals (African & Caribbean Foods)
Convenience. Hours: Mo-Su 10:00-19:00
15 Croppers Hill, WA10 3UF
Go Local Extra (Miller Convenience)
Yes. Hours: Mo-Su 07:00-23:00
108 Parr Stocks Road, St Helens, WA9 1NZ
About 2 km away
World In One Superstore
Convenience. Hours: Mo-Sa 09:30-18:00
39 Cross Lane, L35 3QQ
About 6 km away
Huyton News & Convenience
Newsagent. Hours: Mo-Su 07:00-19:00
42 Derby Road, Knowsley, L36 9UJ
About 8 km away
Food and takeaways
Diegos Pizza
Burger, chicken, friture, kebab, pizza. takeaway. Hours: Su-Th 16:30-23:30; Fr-Sa 16:30-02:30
38 Ormskirk Street, St Helens, WA10 2TF
Palace Balti & Tandoori Restaurant
Indian. restaurant. Hours: Su-Th 17:00-22:00; Fr-Sa 17:00-23:00
59 Duke Street, St Helens, WA10 2JF
Palm Sugar
Asian. restaurant. Hours: Su-Th 12:00-22:00; Fr-Sa 12:00-00:00
63-67 Duke Street, St Helens, WA10 2JF
Chopsticks - St Helens
Bubble tea, chinese. takeaway. Hours: Mo-Sa 11:30-21:00; Su 12:00-21:00
34 Bridge Street, WA10 1NW
Big G's (Halal)
Burger, chicken, friture, kebab, pizza. takeaway. Hours: Mo-Su 12:00-03:30
22 Water Street, WA10 1PY
Poppadom & Pints
Indian. restaurant. Hours: Mo-Th 12:00-21:00; Fr-Sa 12:00-22:00; Su 12:00-20:00
54 Bridge Street, WA10 1NW
Nando's
Chicken, portuguese. restaurant. Hours: Su-We 11:00-22:00; Th-Sa 11:00-22:30
Chalon Way West, WA10 1BF
Love Balti
Indian. restaurant. Hours: Mo-Sa 17:00-22:30; Su 15:00-22:00
2 George Street, WA10 1BU
German Doner Kebab
Kebab. takeaway. Hours: Mo-Su 11:00-23:00
Highpoint St Helens, WA10 1QT
Sabroso Tex-Mex
Mexican. takeaway. Hours: Mo-Su 16:00-22:00
23-27 George Street, St Helens, WA10 1DA
Shere Khan Express
Indian. takeaway. Hours: Mo-Th 17:00-23:45; Fr 16:30-23:45; Sa-Su 16:00-00:00
75 Liverpool Road, WA10 1PQ
King Wok
Chinese, noodles. takeaway. Hours: We-Mo 16:00-22:00
103 Higher Parr Street, St Helens, WA9 1AG
Sports and clubs
HAMMA Academy of Sports and Martial Arts CIC
Fitness centre. Hours: Mo-Fr 06:00-21:00; Sa 10:00-16:00
20 North Road, WA10 2TJ
St Helens Rugby Football Club
Sports centre. Hours: Mo-Fr 09:00-17:00; Sa 10:00-16:00
McManus Drive, WA9 3AL
Prescot Gym and Soccer Centre (by Volair)
Sports centre. Hours: Mo-Th 06:30-22:00; Fr 06:30-21:00; Sa-Su 08:30-16:30
Warrington Road, L35 5AD
About 5 km away
Family Martial Arts Prescot
Fitness centre. Hours: Mo-Su 06:00-22:00
20 Sinclair Way, L34 1QL
About 6 km away
West Park Rugby Football Club
Sports centre. Hours: Mo-Th 19:00-21:00; Fr 19:00-23:30; Sa 13:00-23:30; Su 11:30-17:00
Prescot Road, St Helens, WA10 3AG
About 3 km away
Terry McElhinneys Martial Arts & Fitness Classes
Fitness centre. Hours: Tu, Th 19:30-21:00
Longview Lane, Huyton, L36 7UN
About 7 km away
Rugbytots St Helens
Sports centre. Hours: Sa 09:00-11:00
Elton Head Road, St Helens, WA9 5AU
About 3 km away
Fishing spots and tackle shops
The Reel Deal Tackle & Bait
Tackle shop, and the place to ask where to fish and about permits. Hours: Mo-Sa 10:00-18:00
13 Warrington Road, L34 5QX
About 5 km away
Driving schools
DVSA Driving Test Centre - St Helens
Driving school. Hours: Mo-Fr 08:00-15:30
2 Navigation Road, St Helens, WA9 1NS
Ultima HGV Driver Training
Driving school. Hours: Mo-Fr 09:00-17:00
Washway Lane, St Helens, WA10 6PE
About 2 km away
A1 Rider Training
Driving school. Hours: Mo-Fr 09:00-16:00
Springfield Road, St Helens, WA9 5PE
About 2 km away
Community and support groups
St Helens Sea Cadets
Community centre. Hours: Mo, Th 19:00-21:30
Mill Street, WA10 2BD
Animate Youth Ministries
Community centre. Hours: Mo-Fr 09:00-17:00
Crab Street, WA10 2BE
The Millenium Centre
Community centre. Hours: Mo-Su 08:00-20:00
Corporation Street, St Helens, WA10 1HJ
St Teresa's Parish Centre
Community centre. Hours: Mo 07:00-23:00; Tu-Su 07:00-23:30
33 Windsor Road, St Helens, WA10 4HW
Park Farm Community Centre
Community centre. Hours: Mo, We, Fr 09:00-18:00; Tu 09:00-20:00; Th 09:00-19:30
54 Kentmere Avenue, St Helens, WA11 7PG
About 3 km away
Seneley Green Parish Hall
Community centre
Montrey Crescent, Wigan, WN4 0UD
About 6 km away
Rainford Village Hall
Community centre
34 Church Road, St Helens, WA11 8EZ
About 6 km away
Seneley Green Community Hall
Community centre
Billinge Road, Wigan, WN4 0XD
About 6 km away
Merseyside Youth Association - Our Place
Community centre
Longview Drive, Liverpool, L36 6EG
About 7 km away
Barbers and hair specialists
Hot towel and traditional shaves
L1 Styles Barbershop (Traditional Barbers Prescot Town Centre)
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo-We 09:00-17:30; Th-Fr 09:00-18:00; Sa 09:00-17:00; Su 10:00-15:00
19 Eccleston Street, L34 5QA
About 5 km away
L1 Styles Barbershop (Traditional Barbers Huyton & Roby)
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo-Tu 09:00-17:30; We-Fr 09:00-18:00; Sa 09:00-17:00; Su 10:00-15:00
22 Cavendish Walk, L36 9YG
About 8 km away
Barbers and salons
HQ Barbers
Hairdresser. Hours: Tu-Th 09:00-18:00; Fr 09:00-19:00; Sa 09:00-16:00
6 North Road, WA10 2TL
Avanti Hair Team
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo-Tu, Th-Fr 08:00-15:00; We, Sa 08:00-12:00
24A Westfield Street, WA10 1QF
Julie Waterhouse Hair Salon
Hairdresser. Hours: Tu, Fr 09:00-17:00; We 09:00-16:00; Th 09:00-19:00; Sa 09:00-15:00
134 Duke Street, St Helens, WA10 2JL
Spectrum
Hairdresser. Hours: Tu 10:00-14:00; We 09:00-17:30; Th 09:00-20:00; Fr 09:00-18:30; Sa 09:00-16:30
174 Duke Street, St Helens, WA10 2JJ
Self Love Salon
Hairdresser. Hours: Tu 10:00-20:00; We 10:00-18:00; Fr 09:30-19:00; Sa 08:30-16:30
5 Junction Lane, St Helens, WA9 3JN
About 3 km away
Manik
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo-Th 09:00-18:00; Fr 09:00-20:00; Sa 09:00-17:00
Kingsway L34 5BN
About 5 km away
Cinemas and libraries
Eccleston Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo-Tu, Th-Fr 10:00-17:00
Broadway St Helens, WA10 5PJ
About 3 km away
Whiston Hospital Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo-Th 09:00-17:00; Fr 09:00-16:45
Warrington Road, L35 5DR
About 5 km away
Rainford Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo 13:00-19:00; Tu 13:00-17:00; Th 10:00-13:00; Fr 13:00-19:00; Sa 10:00-13:00
Church Road, St Helens, WA11 8HA
About 6 km away
Burtonwood Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
Chapel Lane, Burtonwood, Warrington, WA5 4PS
About 6 km away
Huyton Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo-Fr 10:00-17:00; Sa 10:00-13:00
Civic Way, L36 9DG
About 8 km away
Stockbridge Village Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo-Fr 10:00-17:00; Sa 10:00-13:00
The Withens, L28 1AB
About 9 km away
Penketh Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo-We 10:00-13:00, 14:00-17:00; Th 10:00-13:00, 14:00-18:00; Sa 09:30-13:00
Honiton Way, WA5 2EY
About 9 km away
Golborne Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo-We 09:00-14:00; Th-Fr 12:00-17:00; Sa 09:00-14:00
Tanners Lane, Golborne, WA3 3AW
About 10 km away
St Helens Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo 10:00-19:00; Tu,Th,Fr 10:00-17:00; We,Sa 10:00-13:00
Chalon Way East, St Helens, WA10 1BX
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors. We do not make places up: if the map has it wrong, fix it on openstreetmap.org and it comes through at the next refresh.
Saving money
What locals use to spend less
The shops and sites people here use for cheap clothes, second-hand furniture, a car, and the weekly shop. We are not paid to list any of them.
Facebook Marketplace and GumtreeSecond-hand furniture, bikes, tools and cars, often for very little. Meet in public, and never pay before you see it.Freecycle and OlioThings people give away for free, and food from neighbours and shops that would otherwise go in the bin.Too Good To GoSurprise bags of food from cafes, bakeries and supermarkets at the end of the day, at a fraction of the price.PrimarkCheap everyday clothes, work basics and bedding.Aldi and LidlThe cheapest big supermarkets for the weekly shop.B&M and Home BargainsCleaning products, kitchen kit and household bits for less.Charity shopsClothes, coats and furniture, and the money goes to a good cause.MoneySavingExpertFree guides to cheaper phones, energy, bank accounts and sending money.
Getting around
Getting around from St Helens
TravelineBus, coach and train times for the whole of Great Britain.National RailTrain times, tickets and railcards.Transport for LondonThe Tube, buses and the Oyster and contactless fares.
Driving here on your licence
Once you live in Great Britain you can drive a car or motorcycle on your full, valid licence for 12 months. After that, a licence from a designated country can be exchanged for a GB licence; from other countries you apply for a provisional licence and pass the theory and practical tests. Lorries, minibuses and buses have stricter rules: check before you drive one.
Check your licence on GOV.UK Exchange a licence
Hiring a car
Each rental company sets its own rules on age, how long you have held your licence and which licences it accepts, and young drivers often pay more. Check those rules before you book, and bring your licence and passport to the desk.
Driving rules taken from the official pages linked above, checked October 2026. They change, so the official page is the one to rely on.
While you are here