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 11 days
£250 needed for a gas cooker
J is a lady in her 60s whose children have left home. The under occupancy penalty came into force and she was unable to cover basic living costs. She then accumulated rent and Council Tax arrears. The council has managed to find her a smaller property. She left her electric cooker behind as there was only connection for a gas cooker in the new property. J is unable to buy a gas cooker as she is on Universal Credit. The cooker that will be ordered is £275 and we already have £25 for it.
£200 needed for food and utilities
J has been a guest of our service for a few years. We have supported him with numerous issues related to his asylum and housing situations and also with emergency needs, as he lives on a very low level of benefit. He has helped on our guest trainee programme and has used our counselling service also. J is in very difficult circumstances currently and although he is budgeting well, he just has little left for basic necessities. Your donations would be used for emergency food and energy bills.
£200 needed for school uniforms and equipment with PE Kits
H is an asylum seeker and a single Mum living in home office accommodation with three children. She has been the victim of a serious Domestic Violence experience in her home country. She suffered for nine years until she had an opportunity to escape from the abuse. She needs your help for vouchers to purchase school uniforms for two of her children in secondary and primary school. Please help to bring change to their lives.
£200 needed for electric and gas bills
R is a young man with two children and he’s has really struggled with mental health problems due to being in an abusive relationship. It’s has been extremely bad for his mental health and it’s affected him working. This has now made him behind on his bills, but since going back to church and finding God again he is really trying to make a fresh start and he now just needs help to get out of debt then he can really move on the best he can. He is now also getting counselling to help him through, the trauma he has been through and hopefully he can really make a good start to his new life with his boys. So I know he will be so grateful for your help.
£200 needed for a fridge freezer
L is a single lady, struggling to cope on Universal Credit. She has health issues and medication that needs to be refrigerated. Her old, second hand fridge freezer has failed and she has lost the food therein and is very worried and anxious about her medication. She has no savings or disposable income to buy a new one. We would like to bless her and replace this immediately due to the medical need.
£200 needed for a cooker and washing machine
This applicant is a single mother who became homeless following a relationship breakdown in December 2025. She has recently secured a new home for herself and her 8-month-old baby, offering them a fresh start. Living on a low income, she cannot afford essential items such as a cooker and washing machine. Support with these appliances would help her create a safe and stable home. Any donation would be gratefully received and make a real difference to this young family.
£200 needed for a school uniform, PE kit and food
B is an Asylum seeker living in home office accommodation with her son. She fled her country due to family conflict. She is awaiting the results of her asylum appeal to the court. She needs a voucher for food and clothes. Her child does not always eat the food provided by the hotel because it is unsuitable for him. They need your help. Please donate to to help them and bring some happiness to their lives.
£200 needed for a microwave and injera maker
L is a resilient woman in her early 20s who experienced homelessness before moving into her first flat. She works as a hairdresser and studies English, working hard to build a stable future. Moving into her home brought setup costs, and her kitchen lacks basic appliances. A microwave will help her prepare quick meals around work and college. An electric Injera maker (Mitad griddle) will allow her to cook cultural meals, save money, and feel settled. Thank you for your support!
£160 needed for a chest freezer
This lady is bipolar. She has four children. She receives the Personal Independence Payment with limited capacity for work and Universal Credit. She finds it hard to shop when she is not well. She would benefit from a chest freezer so she can buy in bulk and also batch cook when she is able to. We are able to provide a second hand one with a warranty. Please will you help her? Thank you.