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 10 days
£200 needed for a pendant alarm urgently needed
L is a severely disabled and housebound middle-aged woman who has many underlying health problems, including a crumbling spine. Two weeks ago she fell at home and broke her hip and wrist, and spent almost 3 hours trying to reach her phone to summon help. We wish to provide an emergency call button system for when L is discharged from hospital as she is still recovering from her injuries and may need urgent help at home.
£200 needed for a mobile phone and TV
My client at Christians Against Poverty is living in a 24 hour supported living accommodation. They have no television or mobile phone. This would help them greatly with feeling more at home and improve their mental health. The mobile phone would be useful for staff to contact him, as he can leave independently and also be able to contact his 20 year old daughter too. Please consider helping this client feel that he is cared for.
£200 needed for energy, food shop and a wedding outfit
Our lovely debt client had to stop working due to an injury. She now lives on a very low budget. We would like to help her this month with her energy costs and a food shop. Also her daughter is getting married soon and it would make such a difference if we could help her buy some suitable clothing for the wedding.
£200 needed for an electric cooker
N became homeless in 2022. He spent 3 months alternating between sleeping rough and sofa surfing then in temporary accommodation. This January he finally moved into a council property but it was unfurnished with no white goods. He is determined to use this as an opportunity to get his life back on track and is already training to be a barista, through a government funded program. £200 for a cooker would make a real difference to his quality of life and preparation for a meaningful future.
£200 needed for a freezer and curtains
K is a veteran that was homeless for several years, suffering from severe mental health issues as a result of trauma from the army. He is trying to get back on his feet and budget and pay the bills but is on such a small income that he is unable to buy anything for the flat. He has no curtains or poles and is struggling with the sense of exposure and he is also unable to freeze food which is costing him more. £200 will get him a small freezer as well as curtains and poles, improving his quality of life so much.
£200 needed for a washing machine
M lived with his parents all his life and has few life skills as a result. His parents have both passed away recently and he feels lost. He had to move into a new flat and we are supporting him with building some new life skills. One of these is washing his clothes. He doesn't have a machine and has never done washing. We want to support him in this but he needs a washing machine otherwise the clothes will just never get washed. This would make a huge difference to him. Could we help?
£200 needed for a cooker
This client is in need of a cooker. Her current cooker is a hazard as the oven is broken and the hob cannot be regulated and hence is dangerous. The client is in receipt of Personal Independence Payment due to a range of health issues including chronic back and leg pain, infection to the brain and hypothyroidism. She is considered to have a long term disability and definitely needs support to get a working cooker. Thank you so much for considering this request.
£200 needed for the supply and fitting of carpets for living room, stairs and landing
This family has endured homelessness and the challenges of temporary housing. They now have new permanent accommodation but without a working boiler and no carpets. Their home is cold and uncomfortable. Dad is coping with significant health issues, including Type 1 diabetes, previous sepsis, and the loss of a toe. Their one-year-old daughter is struggling with the discomfort of bare floors, and the family is struggling financially. We want to provide carpets to create a warmer and safer home.
£150 needed for a tablet
B is a new refugee in the UK. He was a social worker in his home country and is keen to volunteer and work in charities in the UK, and continue his work in supporting people. He would love to work in refugee advocacy, as someone who has navigated the system and has lived experience. He would like a tablet so that he can apply for volunteer roles and make job applications in the charity sector, to help lift him out of poverty and support others.