The rising cost of living crisis: our response
As a charity we are well placed to meet the needs of individuals impacted by economic and social change. Throughout the pandemic we saw a huge increase in need, helping more individuals annually than ever before. We're very aware that the need for help will only continue to increase over the next few months, as individuals struggle to pay for their basic bills. We are expecting this increase not only because many will struggle with the increases in energy and food, but also due to many people finding themselves without savings to pay for unexpected items such as a broken washing machine or clothes for a growing child.
Therefore, we are responding by being prepared to help as many people as we're able during this time through the needs on our website. We will be encouraging donors to give towards the individual requests on our website, but we are also running a specific appeal through Stewardship. You can read more about these at the end of this blog.
We are hoping that through our network of churches and local charities we will continue to be able to provide a valuable resource as they meet the ever-increasing need in their communities. We are getting daily requests for help, which tell the story of individuals who are being affected by the rising costs. Here are just a few examples:
R, a young mum to two small children, has come to us in desperate need of support for gas, electric and food. She is using a Foodbank on a daily basis, but is really struggling with anxiety and depression. R is trying her best to keep her head above water, but with the rising costs and being on a low income, she feels she is failing. If we could just give her some breathing space from the cost of living, to help with her mental well-being, this would be greatly appreciated.
M is currently being supported by the local Christians Against Poverty Debt Centre. She has made significant strides forward in managing her money and dealing with debt that has caused her to struggle for some time. However, with the cost of living rising she has found it really difficult to put any money away, leaving her stuck when needing to replace her fridge freezer.
This request is for a school uniform for a single parent who cares for two daughters and is a Kinship Carer with parental responsibility for her grandson. The cost of living crisis is hitting really hard as the children get older and the cost of their clothes increases. Her grandson is starting secondary school this September and she desperately wants to provide the uniform he needs, so he isn't different to his peers.
The good news is that Acts 435, alongside our fantastic supporters and donors can help to meet these specific needs of this grandmother and R and M! All individuals who are feeling 'stuck' and anxious. These three requests for help specifically mention the rising cost of living. However, we're aware that it is affecting most people in one way or another, meaning that all of the requests on our website will support an individual or a family who are struggling during this crisis.
As well as supporting our churches and local charities who partner with us we're also continuing to connect with our key partners who are also helping to tackle this emergency. In this way we hope to be able to help further during this crisis, and meet the needs of more individuals than ever before.
If you are able to give directly to an individual or family, please do take a look at all the needs posted on our website. However, we want to provide as much support as we can to individuals who are struggling with the rising cost of living, and particularly those who are immediately affected by the increase in fuel costs taking place in October. Therefore we have created a fundraiser with Stewardship and funds raised through this will go to the direct needs of individuals who are struggling with the rising cost of living, and especially those who find themselves in fuel poverty. Each family or individual will be someone known to be in need by our partner churches and charities. Initially they will go directly to meet the needs on our website. However, if funds exceed this we may seek to help other individuals who are known to our partners to be in need.
Give to an urgent need today!
The average time for a need to be fully funded is currently 5 days
£145 needed for a mattress
This lady is in the UK on a working visa, working full-time as a carer and doesn't have access to public funds. She has a two year old daughter who was born in the UK. Mum recently moved from a furnished, private rented flat to an unfurnished one, and wasn't able to get credit in order to buy furniture. An application was made to Central Aid for help with donated furniture, however, they charge for new mattresses, albeit at a reduced rate. The payment is to cover the cost of the mattress.
£200 needed for care costs
R has severe debilitating anxiety and cannot stay at home at night on her own. She has been staying here, there, and anywhere, and it is exhausting. She has one friend who is supporting her a lot, but she is going away soon, so R really needs the support of a carer. This money will pay for a local carer to be with her and support her while her friend is away.
£200 needed for moving items to storage
This lady has been through an incredibly difficult few months with family break up, meaning she has had to leave her home and she now finds herself homeless. She is being supported to find a new property in time, but for now needs to keep her belongings in storage. This lady is struggling to meet this cost, given the difficulty of her transition to single benefits, and so this funding, if raised, will pay for a local 'man with a van' to sort this for her.
£200 needed for Council Tax arrears
Our beneficiary has recently divorced and has had to leave the family home for temporary accommodation. He is paying Council Tax arrears monthly; however, a substantial amount remains. Although he is working, this debt, coupled with incoming bills in his new place, leaves him struggling financially each month. Our beneficiary is in danger of falling into further debt and doesn't receive any state benefits. He has heart problems and diabetes, so could do without the added worry of this debt. Please can you help?
£120 needed for clothing and bedding
Back in July we supported this lady with emergency accommodation after fleeing domestic abuse. She has now been given temporary accommodation, but now needs assistance with clothing, duvets and pillows. As this lady has been moving from one accommodation to another, she has not been able to secure work and her benefits have been messed up due to the constant moving of address.
£200 needed for food and gas and electric bill
N is a member of our church and a single mother of three teenagers, 2 of whom suffer from asthma. Mum has worked as a cleaner and a kitchen assistant, but suffers from back and knee problems and is on sick leave at the moment. N is struggling to pay her bills, and got into debt with British Gas. We would like to encourage her with a food voucher and a top-up on her gas and electricity account. Thank you for your support!
£180 needed for an Emergency First Aid At Work Course and safety boots
L has recently experienced four months of homelessness, living out of an old car after losing his employment, which came with accommodation. He is now settled in supported accommodation and would like to return to warehouse or factory work. An emergency first aid course, as well as new work boots will assist L in finding sustainable employment and help him towards independent living.
£170 needed for a duvet, duvet cover and pillow cases, pillows, two sheets and a towel bundle
S, who has debts and is now a Christian Against Poverty client, lives in a bedsit and has attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and mental health issues, and is awaiting an autism diagnosis. She has to take her washing to the unemployment centre and has recently been really unwell for some months. S is hoping for a bit of help with new bedding and towels. She is a vulnerable adult whose parents live quite far away. Sadly, S lost her sister when she was only twenty years old, and very much struggles with everyday life.
£150 needed for a television
Could you please help client X by contributing towards the purchase of a television for them and their eleven year old child? X's sole income is benefits, so they cannot afford to buy a television themselves. At the moment they can only watch television on their phone, which is a very small screen. X, who struggles with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, anxiety and bi polar, is currently living in a caravan on a temporary basis. A television will help their temporary accommodation feel more like a home.