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 7 days
£200 needed for a sofa
I have just spoken to a lady who is a single mother with a young baby. She has had some health issues with dangerously high blood pressure, in part due to the stress of moving and having no funds to furnish her property. Mum said she struggles day-to-day with keeping things going and does work whenever possible, but is on a zero hours contract. Hence, it is impossible to have any extra money to buy items for her new place. Mum was very upbeat when we spoke and is very grateful you are reading this.
£200 needed for a bankruptcy fee
K's wife sadly passed away in July 2023 and this has left him unable to pay debts because his household income has halved. This has resulted in his home being repossessed, leaving a large debt. K is simply unable to pay his debts and it is having a very real and significant impact on his mental health. He needs to go bankrupt as this is the only possible solution. We have raised the majority of the fee, but need some support with the remainder.
£200 needed for accommodation and food
This gentleman was recently released from the criminal justice system and was invited to visit the St Vincent de Paul (SVP) centre to explore what help we could provide. He is excited to assist with cleaning and set-up for both the day sessions and the night sessions. Additionally, he was successful in landing a place at a rehabilitation treatment facility. SVP is requesting three nights in a nearby bed and breakfast establishment, as a temporary stay before he moves to the rehabilitation housing, and a food package.
£200 needed for a mobile phone and clothes
Our client has returned to Brighton after leaving a domestic violence relationship and has returned with nothing. He is in need of a mobile phone with some credit, and some clothes and shoes. He is in the process of applying for Universal Credit.
£200 needed for a bankruptcy fee
K has recently left a violent relationship as her ex-partner abused her physically, emotionally and financially. She has been left with a mountain of debt which she cannot deal with. K is being threatened with eviction and her landlord wants a solution to K's debt problems that will make her able to sustain her rent payments. That solution is bankruptcy. Please would you help us keep K in her home and support her with funds towards her bankruptcy?
£150 needed for bankruptcy fees
Our client is a single gentleman suffering from brain and lung cancer, for which he is receiving immunotherapy treatment. His illness has led him to accrue many debts that he cannot pay off as he cannot work, so only receives benefits. Going bankrupt is the only way forward for him as he does not know how much time he has left. This would give him a fresh start, enable him to enjoy what time he has left and not worry about being in debt.
£200 needed for a stair carpet
K has recently escaped domestic violence and has been housed here. She has three young children and one with complex disabilities. K has no carpets anywhere and is especially concerned about the stairs that have nails etc. on them, with her toddlers and the disabled child. She desperately needs some carpet, but has very basic benefit income. A local carpet shop will deliver stair carpet for £200 and she will manage the fitting charge. Please could we help?
£200 needed for a bed
C, who has additional needs, lives with her husband and two children. After life-changing medical incidents for both her and her husband, there is significant financial strain on the family. Regularly reliant on Foodbank, the family are concerned about Christmas. C is trying her best to save money each month to purchase a new bed for her son, as the current one is unsuitable. This money would be used to purchase a more suitable bed so that they can afford the daily/weekly essentials.
£150 needed for bankruptcy application fees
L, a single mum of four children, has been the victim of domestic violence and, whilst being relocated in several places around the country, has built up debts which could be written off with a bankruptcy. L works part-time and receives Universal Credit, and she would love to be able to start completely afresh without any debts hanging over her, or deductions for arrears taking money away from her limited budget. Are you able to contribute towards her bankruptcy fee of £680?