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 cooking course plus ingredients
This lady, who is a regular at our centre, struggles with severe learning disabilities and has shown remarkable determination to rebuild her life. We have been working closely with her, and other organisations, to support her main goal of reuniting with her children who were placed in care at a young age. To empower this lady's independence and strengthen her parenting skills, we seek your support to enrol her in an eight week cooking course and provide ingredients afterward, enabling her to practice her new skills.
£200 needed for a sofa, wardrobe and small drawer
This woman, who is a long-time user of our services, due to severe physical and mental health challenges, recently moved into a flat with no furniture or essentials, except a fridge. The lack of basic items is worsening her mental health. We recently secured a washing machine for her, but she still urgently needs a sofa, wardrobe and small drawer. Your assistance would greatly improve this woman's living conditions and wellbeing, providing much needed stability and comfort in her new home.
£200 needed for equipment for a Media and Make-up course
This single parent, who is getting over a recent heart operation, is in significant debt and threatened with eviction. Her daughter, aged sixteen, has ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) and autism. Her daughter's aim in life is to become a make-up artist in film or television. This girl is on a Media and Make-up course, but mum cannot afford food, let alone the pack of make-up, specialised brushes and equipment the course specifies. Please can you help her daughter to train for a career that would enable her to be independent and find her place in society?
£200 needed for a second-hand bed and sofa
M is a single mother of two children who has finally found unfurnished accommodation after a long suffering story. Mum stayed for a long period without access to public funds which caused her to be in debt. M, who has a new born baby and so cannot currently work, requests your help to assist and support her so she can by a bed and a sofa for her rented accommodation.
£180 needed for a washing machine
S, who worked with us last year to go debt free, has been saving and managing her money much better. She was proud she had bought Christmas Presents, kept the house warm and had not gone into debt, very different to previous years. Her washing machine has just broken and, as she has not been able to save up again, is currently having to take her washing to her mum's house, who she helps look after, following a stroke. S is finding this difficult as she doesn't drive and it's taking a toll on her mental health.
£200 needed for furniture storage
M is an asylum seeker who has been evicted from his accommodation, has been classed as homeless and has been placed in temporary accommodation. He has nowhere to put some of his larger items of furniture and needs to place them in storage whilst he waits for housing to become available. M, who is very isolated and has no family around him, is not able to afford the costs of the storage on his limited income. He would really appreciate any support given.
£200 needed for rugs for the children's bedrooms
A is married and has three children aged thirteen, nine and five, the youngest of whom has autism. They lived in rented accommodation for twelve years and were evicted due to the landlord selling. The council has placed them in temporary accommodation which has two bedrooms in a high rise block. The bedrooms have floorboards which are rough and cause splinters in the children’s feet. A's husband has started a plastering business and A work three days a week at Next.
£150 needed for a washing machine
This lady is having to move from private accommodation to a social housing flat. All appliances were included in the previous flat, but she has none in the new one. This lady is reliant on Universal Credit and has a small toddler with health issues. She desperately needs a washing machine.
£175 needed for an electric cooker
E and her partner have been without a cooker for over eighteen months since it suddenly stopped working. They are unable to replace it because they are on benefits and have a low income. In fact, E and her partner have had to recently access a food bank for a food parcel to help their situation. They have been using a microwave since their cooker broke, which often means they are buying more expensive and less healthy food. Help from Acts would make an enormous difference to their wellbeing.