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 10 days
£200 needed for a pendant alarm urgently needed
L is a severely disabled and housebound middle-aged woman who has many underlying health problems, including a crumbling spine. Two weeks ago she fell at home and broke her hip and wrist, and spent almost 3 hours trying to reach her phone to summon help. We wish to provide an emergency call button system for when L is discharged from hospital as she is still recovering from her injuries and may need urgent help at home.
£200 needed for a mobile phone and TV
My client at Christians Against Poverty is living in a 24 hour supported living accommodation. They have no television or mobile phone. This would help them greatly with feeling more at home and improve their mental health. The mobile phone would be useful for staff to contact him, as he can leave independently and also be able to contact his 20 year old daughter too. Please consider helping this client feel that he is cared for.
£200 needed for energy, food shop and a wedding outfit
Our lovely debt client had to stop working due to an injury. She now lives on a very low budget. We would like to help her this month with her energy costs and a food shop. Also her daughter is getting married soon and it would make such a difference if we could help her buy some suitable clothing for the wedding.
£200 needed for an electric cooker
N became homeless in 2022. He spent 3 months alternating between sleeping rough and sofa surfing then in temporary accommodation. This January he finally moved into a council property but it was unfurnished with no white goods. He is determined to use this as an opportunity to get his life back on track and is already training to be a barista, through a government funded program. £200 for a cooker would make a real difference to his quality of life and preparation for a meaningful future.
£200 needed for a freezer and curtains
K is a veteran that was homeless for several years, suffering from severe mental health issues as a result of trauma from the army. He is trying to get back on his feet and budget and pay the bills but is on such a small income that he is unable to buy anything for the flat. He has no curtains or poles and is struggling with the sense of exposure and he is also unable to freeze food which is costing him more. £200 will get him a small freezer as well as curtains and poles, improving his quality of life so much.
£200 needed for a washing machine
M lived with his parents all his life and has few life skills as a result. His parents have both passed away recently and he feels lost. He had to move into a new flat and we are supporting him with building some new life skills. One of these is washing his clothes. He doesn't have a machine and has never done washing. We want to support him in this but he needs a washing machine otherwise the clothes will just never get washed. This would make a huge difference to him. Could we help?
£200 needed for a cooker
This client is in need of a cooker. Her current cooker is a hazard as the oven is broken and the hob cannot be regulated and hence is dangerous. The client is in receipt of Personal Independence Payment due to a range of health issues including chronic back and leg pain, infection to the brain and hypothyroidism. She is considered to have a long term disability and definitely needs support to get a working cooker. Thank you so much for considering this request.
£200 needed for the supply and fitting of carpets for living room, stairs and landing
This family has endured homelessness and the challenges of temporary housing. They now have new permanent accommodation but without a working boiler and no carpets. Their home is cold and uncomfortable. Dad is coping with significant health issues, including Type 1 diabetes, previous sepsis, and the loss of a toe. Their one-year-old daughter is struggling with the discomfort of bare floors, and the family is struggling financially. We want to provide carpets to create a warmer and safer home.
£150 needed for a tablet
B is a new refugee in the UK. He was a social worker in his home country and is keen to volunteer and work in charities in the UK, and continue his work in supporting people. He would love to work in refugee advocacy, as someone who has navigated the system and has lived experience. He would like a tablet so that he can apply for volunteer roles and make job applications in the charity sector, to help lift him out of poverty and support others.