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.
![](https://a4-website-media-8528e33.s3.amazonaws.com/images/raising_the_limit.width-500_ZDEfNpr.png?X-Amz-Algorithm=AWS4-HMAC-SHA256&X-Amz-Credential=ASIAS7MLW7P7SZ6UBZ62%2F20240727%2Feu-west-2%2Fs3%2Faws4_request&X-Amz-Date=20240727T013047Z&X-Amz-Expires=3600&X-Amz-SignedHeaders=host&X-Amz-Security-Token=IQoJb3JpZ2luX2VjEAUaCWV1LXdlc3QtMiJIMEYCIQCd3fP1F4qP2EODCpwHA0Dsa8lgTNp6anupdHKpI8JjkAIhAM%2ByPGWgbEW8WxdcmAzl5clCqHg0UE2jDFrnif1ifWyLKvwDCN7%2F%2F%2F%2F%2F%2F%2F%2F%2F%2FwEQABoMMjA0ODQwODI3OTAzIgz4OJeg0KLVPg389eEq0AP%2BGBXYdXGvP3BeMjG%2B7%2BsRMt1QTGBkZIEYa4XY7oQVkAbLC5XbshE5CulH96%2B228Jr2w9w8jEoIxkBg6fbNLp2sKtNxc3M%2BDWaxT%2BH9pmFfZxcypRKR%2FGhrbyy%2F5gFsWviMkGjRDxbFkl1E9Z6BlD%2FR0rRbRUb%2FNNKJkO3lYKn0QJt9wiuVt967lDx2C%2F3SQEZm1dFbrPclfcNsbbfOSm%2BFd2XAtl1W%2BSn1EsARrsx3LFP9TEo34o6CQ1WsSY20EV4PndDhjsTwHskDPDlmLWlMGe8eQPCjh1n57cMmLBMDQy0tdz55aigRjbnOLn4%2FZTiQcG0U0xg2yLGG42%2BBMaspBx8AdcUU36jfMYn2P1A8r0sulYZRcgpEgrdv4r7G42WqeLeiS%2BUGbT6yJt6Gn1uMt8qslrgSsah4Y%2FfbiV%2FtmhHbDZ8BoqUgOIFYyp3T7s1nEcva9uD6aG%2Fr%2FB6nn4ezhy5J9CTZdEYhZ1qCwynjG9GakNBQAwXa9wDEbCqs1riT6gZ36ZwvdCqVNe9aXjnbdGRunyo%2FENumWytvO2XwwsdR2SqP3KEo3h%2FuW0hqCPy9Mbr1n5e24SSvF5WXgHJsFo3%2FLPwTqdb5DShgdgR5TDQjJC1BjqkAaq2C7VTVDgKGBdBf%2B0suwMjysVv%2FJ7c9uRcuPVUiT%2BAmEiT93HyUpy6WnZJSCug0S40x%2BcI34AiFEzNLK6GDx%2BJ06%2F041Fwp2kq%2FeZHtBJrWPN2dFV%2BMO2j5fYf5uF9kBtGb52Et%2FJW%2BjdiMrM2s8%2F31C8YgKwYXHrMZCJLJ%2FFOXqvYeYn1WRVY45rFl%2Boqsup7jntKIDoCLvH6Xdi4dFpzeM0v&X-Amz-Signature=bf351f302e247140ebb924a91dadc55ce09bd56106f662c2c6965091f28e5f9e)
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 8 days
£200 needed for a school uniform and clothes
A is now the legal guardian for her two grandchildren, as requested by the Home Office. The children relocated abroad over four years ago, but their parents became unable to care for them and both children now have mental health issues. A has received the children's element of Universal Credit, but has numerous unexpected expenses. She requires help to buy a blazer and sweatshirts for the younger child (the school are helping with other items) and suitable non uniform clothes for both.
£200 needed for a cooker
J is a victim of trafficking who has now been granted leave to remain in the UK. She has now secured a flat of her own, but has no possessions or savings, and a low income, as she hasn't been allowed to work whilst her asylum claim was being assessed. Your support to purchase a cooker would help J to cook and eat properly as she builds a new life for herself.
£150 needed for a television
D is a single mum who has just started a new job and is awaiting her first monthly wage. While she was at work, her ex-partner entered the house and took the television. She has since had the locks changed. D cannot afford to replace the television after paying rent, bills and food. The family don’t go out, but enjoy family time and watching telly together. Please can you help?
£150 needed for a wardrobe
P, who ended up in a women's refuge after fleeing fifty years of domestic violence, had no possessions and is trying to rebuild her life from nothing. She has very little income and can't afford to purchase anything herself. The refuge have managed to source a few furniture items, but P really needs a wardrobe as her clothes are currently on the floor.
£100 needed for a vacuum cleaner
O and her fifteen year old daughter moved to the UK from the Ukraine when it became unsafe to stay. Her husband and other family have remained in the Ukraine. Mum and her daughter were first housed through the Homes for Ukraine Scheme, but moved into their own unfurnished, rented flat, two months ago. O works as a cleaner, and is also receiving Universal Credit, but money is tight. She would be really grateful for a vacuum cleaner to keep the flat tidy.
£200 needed for a housing deposit
S faces challenges including a mental health condition, hearing difficulty, and the need for financial help with a housing deposit. On a low income, stable housing is crucial for her wellbeing and recovery. Your support, along with a Home Office loan she had already received, will help S secure a safe environment to manage her health. Your assistance will significantly improve her quality of life, providing the stability she needs to focus on her health.
£175 needed for a washing machine
Our client came to the UK from Bangladesh to join her husband. She was subjected to verbal, physical and sexual abuse from her husband and his mother, and treated as a domestic slave. A family friend reported this to the police and our client was removed from the house and the perpetrators were arrested. She was moved to another county for her safety and lived in a refuge until she was ready to live independently. Our client has now moved into her own tenancy and needs help towards the cost of a washing machine
£200 needed for a cooker
K was homeless and sleeping in a tent, but has recently secured a one bedroom flat which is unfurnished. He is unemployed and his benefits only just cover his daily living expenses, so he is not able to afford any furniture. K has no family support or connections to help him. Your help to purchase a cooker would mean that he can cook and eat more healthily and affordably, helping him to make the best possible start in his new tenancy, and to save towards other items.
£120 needed for a bed
D, who has fled a nearby city, due to violence, is scared for his life. He has come to Scarborough to be with family and to get a fresh start. D is very unwell with lung disease and three broken ribs. His family has pooled together to give him support and get his new home sorted out. D only has a bed that he really needs now, as he is currently sleeping on a sofa which isn't helping his lungs or ribs! Please could we help him get a bed so that he can finally feel that his new start has begun? Thank you!