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.
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The average time for a need to be fully funded is currently 10 days
£250 needed for an oven
The client has special/additional needs and has finally been able to move into independent accommodation. His mother attends our Foodbank and is providing food for him. He has no furniture, cooking facilities etc. His mother thinks that cooking for himself will help his development.
£250 needed for Fridge/Freezer
We are supporting a husband, wife and two children as they endeavour to get out of debt. They have been evicted from their home of 15 years and moved into temporary accommodation. They own no furniture and are sleeping on mattresses on the floor. We gave them a chair and table however they need a fridge/freezer to preserve food.
£200 needed for an electric cooker
This lady is suffering from ill health with three children. She came to England as a refugee 10 years ago from Somalia. Her two girls are doing really well in education and are applying for University. They have very little in the house and have been managing with a small portable ring to cook. They would greatly benefit from a cooker for nutrition and their well being.
£200 needed for a bed, mattress and wardrobe.
D is a single woman who works part-time in healthcare while studying at college. After living in shared accommodation, she has recently been offered her own permanent home. She has worked hard to obtain many of the essential items she needs, but she is still without bedroom furniture, including a bed, mattress, and wardrobe. Support towards these items would help her settle into her new home and create a safe, comfortable place to live. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
£200 needed for gas, electric and food voucher.
P had to leave his job to become a carer for his partner who has multiple health issues, and also his mum who has since sadly passed away, this has put a massive financial strain on P and he has struggled to maintain payments on his bills for the home. We have supported with benefit applications but his could take some time to be processed, in the meantime P is going without food to make sure his partner has good nutrition. P would be so grateful for any help to top up his meters and buy food!
£200 needed for a new bed and mattress
We are supporting P and his partner with benefit applications and debt advice. P`s partner has multiple health issues and barley leaves the home, P is a full time carer and is unable to work. P is currently sleeping on the sofa so his partner can be more comfortable in the bed. They have a small spare bedroom that has just been used as a storage room. P is in desperate need of a single bed, mattress and bedding for the spare room so they can both sleep at night. Please could you help, thank you!
£200 needed for gas, electric and food shop.
S is sixty two and her husband is retired, S is having ongoing tests for health issues and she also suffers with anxiety and depression and is unable to work, they receive basic state pension and a little Employment support allowance. They are unable to meet the basic needs financially and once the rent and bills are paid they have very little left over for food and to top up the gas and electric meters. Now it is getting colder they have no heating on most of the time and very little food!
£200 needed for an electric cooker
S and her husband are currently experiencing financial hardship and are asking for support for an electric cooker. S receives employment support allowance and her husband receives state pension. They live in a private rented house and the rent takes up most of their income, they are on the waiting list for a council property but this could take years. They do not have any money left at the the end of the month to be able to afford to replace the condemned cooker, please could you help. Thank you
£200 needed for gas and electric top up vouchers and food
N lives with her husband and two children. She came to the UK to study, but due to unforeseen circumstances the family sought asylum and are currently awaiting an appeal hearing. As their visas have expired, they are unable to work and have been left in severe financial hardship. A Section 95 support application has been made, but while they wait they need help with gas and electricity arrears and food vouchers. Any support would help this family through this difficult time.