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 9 days
£200 needed for a skip hire
S has faced multiple challenges over the last year. Unfortunately there was a fire in her home, she was uninsured, and she now needs to clear various items that have been damaged. She also needs to clear the garden, which has become overgrown in the last few months. She would like to contribute the cost of the skip, but is on basic benefits, and there is no way that she can afford the whole amount. This will help her to get some order back into her life.
£200 needed for a bedroom carpet
We are asking for support for a family in our community. Mum is the sole carer for her child who has autism and speech and communication difficulties. As he requires full-time care Mum has had to give up work placing significant financial pressure on the family. His bedroom carpet is now extremely worn and poses a safety concern. We hope, through generous donations, to provide a replacement carpet making their home safer warmer and more comfortable. Any support would make a meaningful difference
£150 needed for two chests of drawers
This single mum and two daughters live in a very overcrowded house. Mum would like two chests of drawers to help sort out the girls clothes and de-clutter their bedrooms to create space for them to play. They have very little money and therefore can't afford to purchase this themselves.
£100 needed for chest of drawers
Mum is a single parent to three children and has recently moved into a new home. The family are in need of a chest of drawers to provide suitable storage for their clothes and help them settle into their new home. Mum is currently unemployed and managing on a limited income. With the costs of moving and meeting the everyday needs of three children, she is unable to afford the chest of drawers herself. Support towards this would make a practical difference to the family.
£200 needed for a tumble dryer
J lives with teenage son who has additional needs. Because of some of his needs, his clothing and bedding needs washing and drying regularly. They live in a flat and their tumble dryer has broken meaning it is difficult to dry bedding quick enough to reuse. They would really appreciate support towards this unforseen cost. Are you able to help?
£200 needed for coats and shoes for three children
This lady, who is one of our volunteers, comes from Bangladesh and is on her own with 3 daughters. She has been looking for work but hasn't had any success so far. Her girls all need coats and stronger shoes for the winter but she's struggling to cover her bills and food costs on her benefits. Being able to buy them would be a huge boost to the family as the weather gets colder and energy bills go up.
£200 needed for a wardrobe and chest of drawers
D is a single woman who will soon be moving from assisted living into private residence. She has been able to access some furniture but is still in need of a wardrobe and chest of drawers in the bedroom. She is in receipt of Universal Credit which just covers the weekly essentials. Are you able to help with these final bits of furniture to help D in her fresh start?
£200 needed for a freezer
This family have downsized to a bungalow, after a long wait for a suitable property for their non-verbal autistic teenager. The new property is in a village with no supermarkets. The child needs 24 hour care and neither parent drives. The kitchen has a small under counter fridge They have been saving to furnish the property, but need help to purchase a slimline, tall freezer for their living area, enabling them to buy and store food in bulk, reducing the frequency of their shopping trips.
£185 needed for a cooker
This lady and her child fled domestic abuse and were placed temporarily in a safe house to recover. She receives benefits. Now they have been allocated a home but it is empty with not even a cooker. We can provide a reconditioned one with a 6 month warranty. Please will you help.