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 3 days
£200 needed for a locksmith
We are requesting support for an urgent replacement porch door lock for a new female CAP client with chronic physical and mental health issues who is unable to work. She is receiving repeated visits from enforcement agents for Council Tax arrears and has been left frightened and distressed. Her PVC porch door lock is broken and cannot be secured from the outside, leaving her and her possessions vulnerable and the risk of agents gaining access. This repair is urgently needed to help keep her safe.
£200 needed for rent
This gentleman on a Skilled Healthcare Visa has been impacted by changes to his visa conditions reducing his work hours & leaving him unable to cover rising rent and other costs for his family of four. He is actively seeking employment with Visa sponsorship so he can return to stable working hours but faces immediate financial strain. His wife and children are affected by this instability and his own mental health is deteriorating. We would like to help with his rent while he is struggling.
£200 needed for a sofa, armchair and a coffee table
This gentleman has been coming to our centre for some time. He is vulnerable and suffers from mental health difficulties. He has experienced addiction issues but has recently been moved into a new home. He is in receipt of Universal Credit and has bought some items of furniture, but is struggling to afford all the basic essentials to create a comfortable living environment. We would like to provide an armchair, a two-seater sofa and a coffee table as he currently has no comfortable seating.
£200 needed for delivery and installation of new carpet
Our client has a small property and two very young children. They have worked hard to create a suitable home for them, but have not been able to afford carpet for their stairs and landing. While they have coped so far, there have been a number of slips and falls on the stairs for both our client and their eldest, so their health visitor has asked if we can help.
£200 needed for a dryer and a coffee table
This gentleman is a refugee/ asylum seeker from Kuwait. He is now in receipt of Universal Credit but through trying to furnish his home has incurred some debt. He has a family, and they live in a small flat. This gentleman is struggling to keep up with drying the family laundry at this time of year. Clothes hanging around the flat are not properly drying and are now causing mould issues in the rooms. We would like to provide a tumble dryer for the laundry and a coffee table for the lounge.
£200 needed for AI smart glasses
J is in her early 40’s and is diagnosed with Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (PoTs) . This has caused her to lose the ability to read things like cooking instructions, medication etc. These smart glasses verbally narrate what is on the label. She is in process of applying for benefits after her drop in sight.
£200 needed for a B&B, food and clothing
This retired gentleman came to us as he has been served an eviction order. Being a recovering alcoholic and suffering from depression makes him vulnerable to be street homeless. We are working to find accommodation via the council. In the meantime we hope to offer three nights at a B&B to keep him safe due to deteriorating mental health and physical needs. He isn’t eating well due to low income and is not dressed for the cold weather. We would like to offer him a food voucher and warm clothing.
£150 needed for an under counter fridge/freezer
This client has been living in supported housing and hostels for many years and is now a pensioner. He has recently secured his own tenancy but obviously does not have many household items for his new place. He has an issue with alcohol and substance misuse but is receiving help and medication and wants to make his new place home. He is in need of a small fridge/freezer to store food but also for prescribed medication. Thank you so much for considering this.
£200 needed for a refurbished laptop
Y is an asylum seeker who arrived in our area three months ago, having left his family in Iraq. He receives £9 per week in financial support. This client has engaged with our organisation, attending different activities such as English language classes, chess club and lunch, sport, fitness and exercise, English communication sessions, digital programmes, CV writing sessions and cultural events each week. Y needs help to buy a refurbished laptop in order to continue to learn English and strengthen this vital skill.