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 8 days
£200 needed for a trampoline
We are a family living in the UK with no family and limited support network, my husband and I work alternative days and shifts so one of us can care for our children. One of our two boys has severe learning difficulties and a high levels of needs. One thing that keeps him stimulated is a trampoline. We are trying hard to make ends meet but we have no disposable income. A trampoline would give our son a space where he can play and decompress.
£200 needed for bedroom furniture and a garden shed
This vulnerable gentleman is still being hounded by his abusive ex-partner; he has lost his home, his job and access to his young son and has now been re-homed in a new area. He is disabled and unable to work, so relying on his benefit only income. It has been costly starting over and he is already struggling with debts incurred mainly due to his ex. He is in need of some help with some storage for his new home, but unable to afford it himself. Could you possibly help him to buy a wardrobe, chest of drawers, bedside table and a garden shed?
£200 needed for a bed, mattress and bedroom furniture
A is part of a family who the local charity have been supporting for many years. She relocated to Southampton with her mother and siblings a few years ago but her mother has now returned to Oldbury. A tried to find housing, unsuccessfully, initially in Southampton but has now managed to secure a flat, walking distance to her mother's. She recently lost all her belongings in a house fire and has nothing. She really needs a bed, mattress and bedroom furniture and would be grateful for any donations. She receives Universal Credit and cannot afford these extra expenses
£120 needed for an outdoor adjustable height clothes dryer
J is a mid 50’s adult with multiple sclerosis. She lives independently in an adapted property and is a full time wheelchair user. She is reliant on benefits only. This dryer allows her to do her own clothes drying despite being so mobility impaired. Living on benefits means she doesn’t have the spare funds to use an expensive tumble dryer.
£200 needed for food, travel and utility bills
S came to the UK to live with her uncle but had to leave his home after the relationship broke down. She has been supported by the local authority with accommodation. Her Universal Credit stopped in July after failing the habitual residence test, leaving her without an income, because her solicitor made an error. She is awaiting the correct immigration application and is having significant financial hardship. S is without any money and waiting for a decision. Can you help her to cover food, top up her oyster card for travel (to college and to her legal advisor and the charity supporting her to resolve her legal situation), pay some more urgently bills, specifically topping up her electricity and gas?
£200 needed for a fridge freezer
This man is physically disabled and is also struggling with his mental health. He receives Personal Independence Payment and Universal Credit but struggles to meet all his bills. His fridge freezer has been broken for months. His Mum has been driving quite a distance to bring him fresh food almost daily. Please can you help us get him a second hand one.
£200 needed for respite accommodation and clothing
A homeless gentleman was seen in a chaotic state, and extremely emotional having been on the streets for several weeks. With a clear deterioration in his mental health we are looking to provide him with some respite from the elements and the dangers of the streets by assisting him with a stay at a Bed and Breakfast and some clean clothes.
£200 needed for a bed and breakfast stay and food
A young man who has been street homeless following an altercation with his parents and being asked to leave the family home was attacked and has a severe break to his arm as well as serious bruising. Whilst appropriate accommodation is sought and some comfort provided we are looking to provide a Bed and Breakfast stay for five nights to enable us to engage with the relevant authorities and some food for him.
£200 needed for a double bed and mattress
This lady has been housed in Southend from London with her 4-week-old baby. She is living in a studio flat with no furniture, is on Universal Credit and has right to remain. Her baby has a safe sleeping space but this lady has no bed and is sleeping on the floor, with nowhere comfortable to sit while feeding and caring for her baby. This lady needs rest in safety and comfort to protect her wellbeing and look after her child. We would like to ask for a double bed frame and mattress.