Give just five pounds this Christmas
"Thank you so much for the money, it means the absolute world to me to be able to feed my three children and get them a few bits for Christmas. This time of year is so hard, especially with electricity and gas bills, so your kindness and generosity mean everything. Thank you so much, C."
We're aware that for many this winter turning the heating or hot water on will feel like a luxury and for others simply won't be able to afford it. But, what do those in that position do when their washing machine breaks, or their child grows out of their school shoes?
Last year, before the cost of living crisis really began, many sources reported that a fifth of UK adults had less than £250 in savings (Yorkshire Building Society, Joseph Rowntree Trust). This winter it is likely that those who are struggling will have little or no savings to see them through a crisis, a broken appliance or to just simply turn the heating on.
This impact will be felt more widely than ever; not just those on the lowest incomes will feel the squeeze this year - and we're anticipating the need for one-off financial help to increase. You can read more about our reflections on this here.
We're also aware, as Jenny highlights in her video below, that while those on lower incomes will be hit hardest, that actually many of us are also feeling the squeeze due to the increasing living costs in the UK.
Therefore, this Christmas, we're asking if you can join in with a community of other donors to support those most in need, and give #justfivepounds. If many of us give just five pounds, together with donations from others, we will help to lift a burden and bring hope to an individual, or family, this Christmas.
To give#justfivepounds to a need take a look at the ones below, or look at the other ones on our website: acts435.org.uk/needs
"Hi everyone, I write this letter with great joy and pleasure. Your kind generous donations have placed a wonderful fridge freezer in my kitchen for this coming Christmas and New Year. You have also given me trust in humanity. Words cannot express my gratitude to wonderful people whom I have never met. You are wonderful and I do thank you and applaud you all. It now leaves me to wish each and everyone of you a wonderful Christmas and a spectacular New Year. You have made mine! Thank you and respect to you all, R."
'W' said thank you so much to all concerned for help with his bills over Christmas. He has all of his children living with him now and is safe and settled and your help has eased his worries at this stressful time of year and has allowed them to enjoy their first Christmas.
Give to an urgent need today!
The average time for a need to be fully funded is currently 8 days
£95 needed for a monthly bus pass
K is a newly granted refugee and has started English for Speakers of Other Languages classes in central London. She is very keen to gain new skills and attend classes as much as she can, though she struggles with paying for transport, as she ends up spending most of her money on that leaving her with very little for other essential things. Support towards transport would make a huge difference and allow her to attend classes more regularly so she can start building her new life in London.
£150 needed for a shed
F is a bright and resilient woman who has recently moved into a new home. She is a survivor of domestic violence and has previously experienced homelessness. F is in need of a garden shed to use as storage. It will give her a secure place to store essential household items and belongings that currently have no suitable storage space. This would help her ongoing efforts to establish stability, independence, and a sense of security after experiencing significant hardship.
£200 needed for bunk beds
Young single mother, S, has recently moved from temporary bed and breakfast accommodation into an unfurnished one-bedroom flat with her two young children, aged four and one. They are currently sharing a single bed due to a lack of furniture. Support is requested to purchase bunk beds, providing the children with a safe, comfortable place to sleep and helping to create a more stable home environment.
£195 needed for bunk bed mattresses and a wardrobe
Young single mother, S, has recently moved from temporary bed and breakfast accommodation into an unfurnished one-bedroom flat with her two young children, aged four and one. They are currently sharing a single bed due to a lack of furniture. Support is requested to purchase bunk bed mattresses and a wardrobe, giving the children a safe and comfortable place to sleep and providing essential storage to help create a stable, settled home environment.
£175 needed for a fridge
K needs a small fridge as he lives in shared accommodation and shares a fridge, the food often goes missing or is used by other people. K is an asylum seeker currently awaiting decision and is living on Migrant Help Support which does not leave enough additional income for items such as this and makes regularly replacing food very difficult and means that he is currently mainly living off dried goods. The fridge would make a big difference to his well-being.
£200 needed for a washing machine
L is currently out of work and the only household income is Universal Credit. The current machine does not work properly and with two young children under 10 this is a problem for the family. They would have to use a launderette, which isn’t affordable. L is still trying to pay off previous debts and together with household bills and food costs, they do not have funds to replace or call out an engineer to repair the washing machine. He desperately needs a new machine.
£90 needed for a mobile phone
This man is a homeless refugee. He has been homeless for more than 1 year. He is not stable mentally and very stressed. He does not have a mobile phone and this has prevented him from proving his right to rent, work and access his Universal Credit. We would appreciate the kind support to provide him a second hand mobile phone as this will improve his mental health, social wellbeing and enable him to access his benefits.
£190 needed for a laptop
J has been a recovered addict for many years. He has been working hard to rebuild his life, volunteering full time, and living in a homeless community. He is recently recovering from alcohol addiction, which has severely impacted his health, and he is living in a safe rehabilitation facility while he recovers. J would like a laptop so he can stay in contact with his partner and his support system through this process, and to keep occupied with learning and training as he moves on with his life.
£200 needed for installing a washing machine and an air fryer
It was good to be able to chat to this client who is grateful to have been recently allocated some accommodation in a new building. However the apartment is completely unfurnished. Up until now K has been living in supported accommodation with an undiagnosed type of depression. He is a pensioner and therefore has very little finances to furnish his home and few possessions of his own. A washing machine and air fryer would both be a huge help as part of settling into his new place. Many thanks.