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
£175 needed for a fridge
Arriving in the UK as an unaccompanied child when he was 12, this man has had a very difficult life. He escaped violence in his country of origin but since arriving here he has developed severe mental health problems and, following an assault, he also has ongoing physical problems including epilepsy and the loss of one kidney. He has suicidal thoughts and finds managing his affairs very difficult. His fridge has broken down now and he would be very grateful for help to replace it.
£150 needed for a shopping voucher for food, toiletries and bedding
D has been struggling to find work due to his poor mental health. He's reluctant to get help due to seeing what medication did to his father, which has caused long-term trauma for him. He just about manages to scrape by on his low benefit income but recently has fallen behind on a monthly bill due to a technical error at the receivers end. This has thrown the clients budgeting out and he is in need of a little help to get by this. Would you be able to help him with food and much needed bedding so he is able to pay these arrears?
£200 needed for a washing machine
E and her husband have health issues that prevent them to work. They are on benefits and use our foodbank. One of their three teenagers recently got stabbed and was moved out of London by the police for his own safety, so this family is having a very hard time. Apart from blessing them with parcels from the foodbank we would like to support them to replace their broken washing machine. Can you help?
£200 needed for a sofa and bed
This family of five are from Ghana. They have three children, 8,5 and 3 years.Their father has recently started work as an NHS cleaner but the move from Universal Credit to wages has left a temporary financial gap.They have been allocated a house but lack essential furniture including a bed and sofa. They have food support but the school holidays have increased financial pressure.The school support this application as parents engage and are always grateful. A donation would help them through this transition.
£180 needed for clothing and supermarket vouchers
A house fire has meant that this young man has had to leave his home as it is not safe to return to. He is living in temporary accommodation. He was not able to take anything with him so he is finding it hard being without his belongings and he is in shock about what happened. We are requesting donations for clothing and supermarket vouchers. It has been a difficult few days as so much has happened.
£200 needed for a double bed and mattress
This man lives alone on Universal Credit and incapacity benefit. He is finding it hard to manage in the current economic climate. He is a big man and his bed offers him little support, so sleep is difficult. Please can you help him get a new bed so that he is able to get a good night's sleep? Thank you.
£200 needed for a fridge freezer
A is a survivor of domestic abuse who is moving from temporary accommodation into her own home. As she does not have a fridge freezer, support with this essential item would help her settle into her new home. Could you please support A with funding towards a fridge freezer to help her live independently?
£200 needed for kitchen and bathroom essentials
This young person has moved on from a 12 month tenancy at a supported accommodation where they provide furniture so he has no household items. He is pleased to have his own flat and sees it as a stepping stone to independent living. He has no funds for essential items and would be very grateful if we could help him get a microwave, kettle, toaster, crockery, cutlery, pots, pans and utensils for the the kitchen and bathroom essentials like towels, toilet brush and tooth brush holder.
£150 needed for an air conditioning unit
This family with three children were due to move into a new flat but were told last minute they would not be moving. Their current flat is cramped, in very poor condition and doesn't have windows that open. In the heat it's very hard to cool the flat, which is very difficult for them. A small air con unit would make a big difference. They cannot afford this themselves as Dad is unable to work due to a health condition and Mum works part time as she needs to care for her husband and children.