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
£200 needed for carpet fitting
R is a disabled mum of three who has fled domestic violence. For the last three months she has been living in a hotel whilst she waits to be rehoused. Fortunately she has now been granted a property with a local landlord, but unfortunately there are no carpets or floor coverings anywhere in the house. R is desperate to make the house a home, but she simply can't afford the high cost of carpets. We have an amazing offer of free carpets but we just need a little help fitting them.
£180 needed for a microwave, airfryer and oyster top-up
M is a migrant who has been destitute but now thankfully he has been given permission to stay in the UK. He has kidney failure and needs dialysis 2/3 times a week so has had to give up work. The migrant centre helped him to claim benefits and he has found a place to stay. He is trying very hard to remain as healthy as possible and would love to have an airfryer and a microwave to help him do this. He has appointments to go to for his health and for advice so he also needs an oyster top-up.
£100 needed for a mobile phone
M is a single woman and asylum seeker from Ethiopia who was using an old phone a friend gave her, but now it has become a nightmare. It is resetting itself, deleting important files, the battery doesn't last at all, and showing low memory space all the time, forcing her to delete other important documents she needs for her asylum case. M needs your help to replace her phone desperately, and begs for your understanding in her hard times.
£120 needed for a Bengali interpreter
A has minimal English language. We at Christians Against Poverty are scheduled to assess her financial situation and, in order to proceed with the debt help, we need to ensure she fully understands the paperwork she is signing and understands the information we require from her regarding her income and expenses. We had used a volunteer but we have been unsuccessful in arranging the follow up appointment in this instance. Please can you help us to arrange an interpreter.
£200 needed for a door and door frames
This single mum of two children in North Tyneside is living in a house where her ex-partner has caused so much damage to the property. The family is in need of an internal door that he pulled off the door frame, and replacement door frames that he damaged, as well as the necessary equipment to repair these things and paint for the timber door frames. Mum is on her own, has rent arrears and no spare money to repair or replace these things.
£200 needed for a living room carpet
Our client has fled domestic abuse and just been housed in a new property without any flooring. They are trying hard to rebuild their life after fleeing and have found themselves in a new area, away from their support network. We would like to support our client with a new carpet for their lounge to help them in their fresh start. Please can you help?
£200 needed for a fridge freezer
M is a single lady living in a council bungalow. She is a long-term cancer sufferer and spent nine months in hospital last year. She is unable to work and receives Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payments. M's fridge freezer has stopped working and is beyond repair. She needs it not just for storing food but also for her medications. M is unable to afford a replacement herself so if you are able to help with this purchase, that would be brilliant. Thank you.
£150 needed for a television
We have met a young care experienced person who has moved into his new property, is currently on his own for the first time in a while and is struggling with this. His television is currently broken and he would really appreciate having a new one to provide some distraction while he builds his independent life and tries to make his flat a home.
£200 needed for a bedroom carpet
Our client has fled domestic abuse and just been housed in a new property without any flooring. They are trying hard to rebuild their life after fleeing, and have found themselves in a new area, away from their support network. We would like to support our client with a new carpet for their bedroom to help them in their fresh start. Please can you help?