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
£200 needed for a fridge freezer
P was just about managing in Housing Association accommodation when Covid hit. With only his pension and pension credit, he got into rent arrears and was eventually evicted. Having been in temporary accommodation since then has been difficult, but he has now secured permanent accommodation. However, it is completely unfurnished and P must start again. A fridge freezer would enable him to eat more healthily and manage his limited funds more effectively so that he can get back on his feet.
£150 needed for a dining table and chairs
We are working with the parents of two young children who are trying to establish some good boundaries and routines. One of these is to have meals around a dining table, but they don't have a table to sit at. We would love to provide a dining table and chairs for this family and allow them to encourage and enjoy appropriate meal times together. They are struggling financially and aren't able to buy this for themselves.
£200 needed for a large fridge freezer
L is a young man who has been struggling with ill health. He has lost a lot of weight and is currently undergoing various tests to try and find the cause. Due to his ill health, this young man is unable to work and now has a Support Worker who is hopefully going to help him budget. L's current fridge freezer is very small and unreliable and, on the advice of his GP, he must eat more. Please would you consider helping this young man to obtain a larger appliance so that he can store food he needs to help his health? Thank you.
£150 needed for a microwave and food vouchers
S is a single mum who is suffering from depression and other health issues, due to having had to endure twelve years of antisocial behaviour from her next-door neighbour. The neighbour was moved recently and S has taken this opportunity to make a new start. This included asking Christians Against Poverty for help with her debts. S would really appreciate your help with buying a new microwave, as hers stopped working a few weeks ago and, with a teenage boy in the house, it is really missed. Any remaining money is for food vouchers.
£200 needed for a refurbished washing machine and delivery
This young adult in a Ukrainian refugee family asks for help with £200 to purchase a refurbished washing machine as the previously donated one has stopped working and is beyond repair. The family are studying English and, as they are using their limited benefits to cover other costs, have no savings, having left all their belongings in Ukraine. Please can you help them to avoid the everyday stress and high cost of managing without and continuing to work towards employment and integration into UK life?
£200 needed for counselling, trainers, shorts and t-shirts
This young man has been referred to the St Vincent de Paul team after serving time in prison. Prior to his incarceration, he endured the loss of both parents, which has deeply affected him. Currently, this young man experiences sleep disturbances and frequent crying spells as he copes with his past traumas. We are seeking your support to provide him with bereavement counselling and to purchase a running kit, which has served as a source of solace for him amidst his grief.
£200 needed for an iPad and printer
This individual, who has been referred to our organisation, is facing significant mental health challenges. He urgently needs support in obtaining a printer and an iPad to aid in accessing identification documents and conducting job searches. We kindly request your assistance in procuring these items, as they are vital for fostering independence, enabling him to secure employment and maintain self-sustainability.
£200 needed for accommodation
This family regrettably missed an appointment with the Home Office, leading to the withdrawal of their asylum claim. Although the council offered housing for the parents and two younger siblings, the two older girls were considered non-vulnerable and did not receive assistance. It's distressing to envision these girls facing the prospect of homelessness. We urgently seek your help in providing housing for this young girl for four nights while the necessary steps are taken.
£200 needed for carpet fitting
R, a single mum of two children, has fled an abusive relationship. She has multiple disabilities, alongside post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression. After a period in a women's refuge, R has now been supported into a new home. Her only income is Universal Credit and she has no savings as she has spent what she had on furnishings and white goods for her house. Floor coverings would turn R's house into a home, help her mental health and give her the fresh start she is desperate for.