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 7 days
£200 needed for a washing machine
These parents both experienced social care involvement during their own childhoods and currently have very limited family or community support. They have recently returned to Cornwall and, like many of the families we support, have been forced to find private rented accommodation which is expensive. Their daughter is 18 months old. Both parents are living with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder linked to their childhood experiences, and despite these challenges they are working hard to provide stability and a positive home environment for their daughter. Their washing machine has now broken, which is creating additional pressure and making day‑to‑day care more difficult. We would like to request help to buy a washing machine for this family.
£150 needed for a fridge/freezer
This man and his partner have 3 children. They live in a social housing flat, and are both unable to work due to physical and mental health issues. They are on Universal Credit and have no savings. Their fridge/freezer has broken and they cannot afford to replace it themselves. Can you help this family get a new fridge/freezer?
£165 needed for a refurbished laptop
B is an asylum seeker who arrived in our area 8 months ago, having left his family in South Sudan. This client has engaged with our organisation, attending different activities such as English language classes, Dukes theatre, sport and cultural events each week. B needs help to buy a refurbished laptop, as he doesn't have much English and wants to strengthen it. He would appreciate it if you could help him.
£165 needed for a refurbished laptop
E is a refugee from Eritrea who moved to the UK one year ago. He is trying to study English and improve his computer skills. He is really keen to develop beyond basic computer use to have a chance at teaching himself coding to an employable level. E is putting a lot of time into studying. He has no formal qualifications here so a laptop would significantly improve his job seeking chances and opportunities for the future.
£200 needed for rehabilitation pool therapy
W is a single man who shares custody of his 2 children. W has undergone 3 recent operations to help reduce his pain. The pain is debilitating and reduces his ability to complete every day tasks. W has been having rehabilitation in a pool to reduce pain in his joints which is helping, but it is not available on the NHS and is costly. W is unable to work and is on benefits so any help to enable W to have a block of therapy sessions, £200 for 8 sessions, would be very much appreciated. Thank you.
£200 needed for a cooker
B is a single man who has just moved into a new property from outside the area. He is adjusting to a new town and meeting new people. He's on benefits but looking for work. B has had support to purchase a washing machine but has said he doesn't have any cooking facilities and would very much appreciate a cooker, he used to be a chef so being able to cook from scratch and eat healthily is important to him. Any support would be appreciated. Thank you.
£180 needed for chilled and frozen food
A is a single mum of 2, (one who is officially a non dependent although he lives at home and is mentally unwell). A was working, but just had a stroke and now has been diagnosed with functional neurological system disorder. She is struggling financially with ongoing bills now her earnings have stopped. As she sorts her Personal Independence Payment application she needs help with food for the family. Money for freezer and fridge items would help so much.
£70 needed for a microwave
D is a single man who lives in a shared house. He has limited access to the kitchen and tries to keep himself to his own room due to his current mental health needs. D is getting a lot of support from the mental health crisis team and is unable to work at the moment due to his ongoing health concerns. He is being supported with Universal Credit and Statutory Sick Pay. D would benefit from having a microwave in his room to be able to heat up food.
£200 needed for a washing machine
L is a single man who has just been housed after a period of homelessness. He is on benefits and struggles with his mental health. He is being supported by his local food bank and other agencies. L is struggling with the costs of launderettes and would find having his own washing machine of great benefit to him. Any support to enable L to purchase a washing machine would be very much appreciated. Thank you.