The rising cost of living crisis: our response
As a charity we are well placed to meet the needs of individuals impacted by economic and social change. Throughout the pandemic we saw a huge increase in need, helping more individuals annually than ever before. We're very aware that the need for help will only continue to increase over the next few months, as individuals struggle to pay for their basic bills. We are expecting this increase not only because many will struggle with the increases in energy and food, but also due to many people finding themselves without savings to pay for unexpected items such as a broken washing machine or clothes for a growing child.
Therefore, we are responding by being prepared to help as many people as we're able during this time through the needs on our website. We will be encouraging donors to give towards the individual requests on our website, but we are also running a specific appeal through Stewardship. You can read more about these at the end of this blog.
We are hoping that through our network of churches and local charities we will continue to be able to provide a valuable resource as they meet the ever-increasing need in their communities. We are getting daily requests for help, which tell the story of individuals who are being affected by the rising costs. Here are just a few examples:
R, a young mum to two small children, has come to us in desperate need of support for gas, electric and food. She is using a Foodbank on a daily basis, but is really struggling with anxiety and depression. R is trying her best to keep her head above water, but with the rising costs and being on a low income, she feels she is failing. If we could just give her some breathing space from the cost of living, to help with her mental well-being, this would be greatly appreciated.
M is currently being supported by the local Christians Against Poverty Debt Centre. She has made significant strides forward in managing her money and dealing with debt that has caused her to struggle for some time. However, with the cost of living rising she has found it really difficult to put any money away, leaving her stuck when needing to replace her fridge freezer.
This request is for a school uniform for a single parent who cares for two daughters and is a Kinship Carer with parental responsibility for her grandson. The cost of living crisis is hitting really hard as the children get older and the cost of their clothes increases. Her grandson is starting secondary school this September and she desperately wants to provide the uniform he needs, so he isn't different to his peers.
The good news is that Acts 435, alongside our fantastic supporters and donors can help to meet these specific needs of this grandmother and R and M! All individuals who are feeling 'stuck' and anxious. These three requests for help specifically mention the rising cost of living. However, we're aware that it is affecting most people in one way or another, meaning that all of the requests on our website will support an individual or a family who are struggling during this crisis.
As well as supporting our churches and local charities who partner with us we're also continuing to connect with our key partners who are also helping to tackle this emergency. In this way we hope to be able to help further during this crisis, and meet the needs of more individuals than ever before.
If you are able to give directly to an individual or family, please do take a look at all the needs posted on our website. However, we want to provide as much support as we can to individuals who are struggling with the rising cost of living, and particularly those who are immediately affected by the increase in fuel costs taking place in October. Therefore we have created a fundraiser with Stewardship and funds raised through this will go to the direct needs of individuals who are struggling with the rising cost of living, and especially those who find themselves in fuel poverty. Each family or individual will be someone known to be in need by our partner churches and charities. Initially they will go directly to meet the needs on our website. However, if funds exceed this we may seek to help other individuals who are known to our partners to be in need.
Give to an urgent need today!
The average time for a need to be fully funded is currently 5 days
£200 needed for a fridge freezer
J lived with his wife and children until the relationship broke down. For ten years he sofa-surfed, slept rough and rode night buses. He was referred to the rough sleepers team in 2022, was placed in temporary accommodation and now has permanent secure housing. Previously, a working independent man, he now has a medical condition which has left him unable to work. A fridge freezer would enable J to eat more healthily and better manage his limited income of Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment.
£200 needed for a washing machine
J lived with his wife and children until the relationship broke down. For ten years he sofa-surfed, slept rough and rode night buses. Referred to the rough sleepers team in 2022, he was placed in temporary accommodation and now has permanent housing. Previously a working independent man, J now has a medical condition which has left him unable to work. A washing machine would enable him to maintain his personal hygiene and better manage on his limited income of Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment.
£200 needed for an oven
S lives with her husband and three children. For the last six months, they have not had a fully working oven and have been using one hob ring to prepare meals for the five of them. The hob is inefficient and expensive, and is costing a lot to run. S is juggling working part-time and looking after her children. Her husband is, unfortunately, unable to work. The family really need a new oven so they can cook the food they are receiving from the foodbank. Please can you help?
£150 needed for electricity bills and food
S is on a very low income, receiving only the basic Universal Credit of £393 per month. He was recently released from prison, which means he doesn't receive full housing benefits and needs to top his monthly rent up himself. S is struggling to meet his basic living costs, buy food and pay his utilities, but he has no family support. Please can you provide a donation to help him get back on his feet?
£200 needed for a bed
E is a single mum with four children. One son has special needs, meaning mum has been unable to work and has run up debts. Her son has outgrown his bed and she wants to buy a larger one to make him more comfortable. Please can you help?
£200 needed for a washing machine and a cooker
Our client, who is dealing with severe mental health issues, has moved from temporary accommodation into a more permanent home to start regaining some independence. They are currently suffering from financial hardship and are in need of a washing machine to wash their clothes, as well as a cooker to be able to make hot meals at home. These items will improve their overall mental wellbeing and independence in their new home.
£180 needed for a wardrobe, chest of drawers, fridge freezer and a lamp
H is a single lady who has been offered a property, but unfortunately there was no furniture at all. H came here with some savings, but these are nearly gone and she is struggling to furnish her house and feed herself too. H is in urgent need of a fridge freezer, a wardrobe, a chest of drawers and a lamp for her house. She would appreciate any support.
£200 needed for food, a microwave and a kettle
Following a recent heart attack, three months ago, this gentleman finds himself in need of ongoing assistance. We are urgently requesting a regular food parcel, a kettle and a microwave. Our client was referred to us by Peabody after an outreach encounter where he was soliciting passers-by for food or financial aid. Although he has a flat, this gentleman's health condition prevents him from being able to work. Any support provided during this challenging time would be greatly appreciated.
£200 needed for supplying and fitting a living room carpet
A and his partner have been given a flat after being homeless and are in need of a living room carpet. They have nothing and are waiting for their benefits to be processed. They have no family able to help, as family have disowned them because they are not the same nationality. A few friends have given them some kitchen items. Please can you help them with a carpet?