Increasing the limit for requests for help
You may have noticed that the monetary limit for requests for help has increased on our website, which means that our local partners can now post requests up to the upper limit of £200 (instead of the previous £150). This is a decision we have recently made, with our Trustees, to make sure that we can continue to help individuals with the items that they need most.
Why?
With the rising cost of living in the UK we have been made aware that it is becoming increasingly difficult for our Advocates, and their recipients, to find larger items within the previous limit of £150.
Therefore, we have made the decision to increase the limit for requests to £200. However, as with our previous limit on requests, we ask our Advocates to only use this upper limit where absolutely necessary for specific larger items, such as cookers, washing machines and fridge freezers.
Although we have increased the upper limit for each request, one household is still able to have up to three requests. This means that we can enable our donors to help individuals and families in a crisis, but highlights that we're not an on-going financial support.
Alongside the guidelines around the upper limit we also have in place other guidelines on some items, and have increased or stipulated these where we feel necessary. We have placed reasonable limits for some specific items, such as £100 for a mobile phone or £75 for a microwave.
How do we keep track of these limits?
With the launch of our new website and back-end systems in June 2022, we were able to integrate some new processes. One of these processes is that each request posted by our local partners gets read by our staff team before it goes live onto the website. This enables us to question and, where needed, amend the amount or request. This process helps us to keep the system fair for every applicant, making sure all our guidelines are adhered to.
As we increase the limit on each request we're very thankful to all our donors, each giving what they can; whether meeting a need in full or giving towards a request. In 2022 the most popular amount donated was £50, which on its own wouldn't be sufficient to meet in full one of the requests on our website. That's what we love about Acts 435 - it is as people donate, alongside others, to the same need, that they can together support an individual in crisis. We are trusting that in spite of the cost of living crisis continuing to impact so many, our donors will still step up with us in generosity to continue to meet the needs of those seeking our help, even as we increase the maximum limit of our requests.
Give to an urgent need today!
The average time for a need to be fully funded is currently 5 days
£145 needed for a mattress
This lady is in the UK on a working visa, working full-time as a carer and doesn't have access to public funds. She has a two year old daughter who was born in the UK. Mum recently moved from a furnished, private rented flat to an unfurnished one, and wasn't able to get credit in order to buy furniture. An application was made to Central Aid for help with donated furniture, however, they charge for new mattresses, albeit at a reduced rate. The payment is to cover the cost of the mattress.
£200 needed for care costs
R has severe debilitating anxiety and cannot stay at home at night on her own. She has been staying here, there, and anywhere, and it is exhausting. She has one friend who is supporting her a lot, but she is going away soon, so R really needs the support of a carer. This money will pay for a local carer to be with her and support her while her friend is away.
£200 needed for moving items to storage
This lady has been through an incredibly difficult few months with family break up, meaning she has had to leave her home and she now finds herself homeless. She is being supported to find a new property in time, but for now needs to keep her belongings in storage. This lady is struggling to meet this cost, given the difficulty of her transition to single benefits, and so this funding, if raised, will pay for a local 'man with a van' to sort this for her.
£200 needed for Council Tax arrears
Our beneficiary has recently divorced and has had to leave the family home for temporary accommodation. He is paying Council Tax arrears monthly; however, a substantial amount remains. Although he is working, this debt, coupled with incoming bills in his new place, leaves him struggling financially each month. Our beneficiary is in danger of falling into further debt and doesn't receive any state benefits. He has heart problems and diabetes, so could do without the added worry of this debt. Please can you help?
£120 needed for clothing and bedding
Back in July we supported this lady with emergency accommodation after fleeing domestic abuse. She has now been given temporary accommodation, but now needs assistance with clothing, duvets and pillows. As this lady has been moving from one accommodation to another, she has not been able to secure work and her benefits have been messed up due to the constant moving of address.
£200 needed for food and gas and electric bill
N is a member of our church and a single mother of three teenagers, 2 of whom suffer from asthma. Mum has worked as a cleaner and a kitchen assistant, but suffers from back and knee problems and is on sick leave at the moment. N is struggling to pay her bills, and got into debt with British Gas. We would like to encourage her with a food voucher and a top-up on her gas and electricity account. Thank you for your support!
£180 needed for an Emergency First Aid At Work Course and safety boots
L has recently experienced four months of homelessness, living out of an old car after losing his employment, which came with accommodation. He is now settled in supported accommodation and would like to return to warehouse or factory work. An emergency first aid course, as well as new work boots will assist L in finding sustainable employment and help him towards independent living.
£170 needed for a duvet, duvet cover and pillow cases, pillows, two sheets and a towel bundle
S, who has debts and is now a Christian Against Poverty client, lives in a bedsit and has attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and mental health issues, and is awaiting an autism diagnosis. She has to take her washing to the unemployment centre and has recently been really unwell for some months. S is hoping for a bit of help with new bedding and towels. She is a vulnerable adult whose parents live quite far away. Sadly, S lost her sister when she was only twenty years old, and very much struggles with everyday life.
£150 needed for a television
Could you please help client X by contributing towards the purchase of a television for them and their eleven year old child? X's sole income is benefits, so they cannot afford to buy a television themselves. At the moment they can only watch television on their phone, which is a very small screen. X, who struggles with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, anxiety and bi polar, is currently living in a caravan on a temporary basis. A television will help their temporary accommodation feel more like a home.