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 6 days
£200 needed for a double bed frame
P was just about managing in Housing Association accommodation when Covid hit. With only his pension and pension credit, he got into rent arrears and was eventually evicted. Having been in temporary accommodation since then has been difficult, but he has now secured permanent accommodation. However, it is completely unfurnished and he must start again. A bed frame would prevent P from having to sleep on the floor, and help him regain some self-esteem and confidence so that he can get back on his feet.
£175 needed for a fridge
B is a single parent who has recently moved into a new property with his four year-old son. They are looking to make a new start together following dad recently securing custody of his son. B was previously housed in temporary accommodation by a charity that helps those at risk of homelessness. He is looking for work, as well as helping his son to settle into a new school. B's only income is Universal Credit and Child Benefit, and he needs some help with furnishing their home, a fridge being his priority.
£100 needed for a hoover
J is a mum of four children, including a baby. The family are living in a property which is not suitable for their needs. The eldest daughter has autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and mum is unable to work because of this. She struggles with low mood and finds it difficult to keep the home clean. The family's hoover recently stopped working and a replacement will help J to provide her family with a clean home, and help her feel in control of her home. This will positively impact her mental wellbeing.
£200 needed for a wardrobe and storage furniture
L is a disabled man who has just been moved to temporary council accommodation. He was told that he would be given support from the council to move, however, this never materialised and he had to spend all his monthly income on moving. L cannot afford a wardrobe or any storage. He is currently living among bags of clothes and cannot start to sort out his accommodation. L is on a very low income and is unable to work, due to his disability. He needs support to sort out his temporary accommodation.
£200 needed for a fridge freezer
E, a single mum with a four year old son, is in the process of being diagnosed with Autism. She looks after her son full-time and, due to his high level of need, is unable to work. The family are in need of a new fridge freezer, as their current one is old and no longer works properly. Mum relies on benefits and doesn't have any spare money to buy a replacement. E would love some help to be able to purchase this much needed kitchen appliance.
£200 needed for a condenser tumble dryer
D, a single mum of three children, aged eleven, nine and four, is urgently needing a replacement condenser drier, due to her own health issues and because her youngest child is a constant bed-wetter. For hygienic reasons, mum is regularly having to wash sheets and duvet covers. D's older children are involved in sports club activities and hobbies, which adds to the normal family washing, therefore, the dryer is used on a daily basis.
£75 needed for a duvet and sheets
Mum has recently had her benefits reduced as one of her children has moved out of the home to be with dad. She had unexpected bills recently for her car and a broken bed, which she managed to pay. Mum also needs new bedding, but it will be a while before she will be able to buy this. Please could you help us provide this for the family? We hope to provide a duvet and all the bed sheets required.
£150 needed for a bed, iron and ironing board
This young mum has suffered several tragedies in the last few years, including losing a child. Her father died of cancer and she has taken on the responsibility of caring for her double amputee mother. This young mum's marriage has broken up and she is bringing up her two children alone. They have had a fire and, due to losing everything, are in temporary housing. Whilst they have received many kind donations of clothes and furniture, they still need a bed for mum and an iron and ironing board. Please can you help?
£165 needed for a double mattress
This gentleman, who has a long history of illness and mental health issues (PTSD), is in receipt of benefits and Personal Independence Payment. He has been a client of our food bank for some time and we have witnessed him adopt a more positive attitude to life as time has gone by. For example, he was recently motivated to undertake some long-overdue home decorating. However, now his bed mattress has given out and he doesn't have the funds to replace it.