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 3 days
£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.
£200 needed for a washing machine
S is a victim of domestic abuse, and during the most recent attack her house got trashed. Doors, windows and appliances got broken including the washing machine. S has recently moved over to universal credit and is awaiting a payment which is making buying and replacing items even more difficult. Having a working washing machine is essential and will make life much easier than trying to get to the launderette.
£200 needed for carpet fitting
S has recently been made homeless after her private landlord evicted her because she wanted to sell the house. Due to her health needs S has now been offered a bungalow with a local housing association. Her only income is from benefits, she has no savings or family to help her: the bungalow has no carpets down and S is worried about the effect of her health and heating bills. It would be just amazing this Easter time if a kind donor would consider helping S. Thanks for reading this.
£200 needed for a cooker
R is a single mum and has just moved into a council flat with her young son. The flat is empty and has no appliances, and so we're looking to get a cooker as soon as possible. She is working hard to get all she needs for the flat, and would really appreciate support with this. Can you help her?