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 skip hire
S has faced multiple challenges over the last year. Unfortunately there was a fire in her home, she was uninsured, and she now needs to clear various items that have been damaged. She also needs to clear the garden, which has become overgrown in the last few months. She would like to contribute the cost of the skip, but is on basic benefits, and there is no way that she can afford the whole amount. This will help her to get some order back into her life.
£200 needed for a bedroom carpet
We are asking for support for a family in our community. Mum is the sole carer for her child who has autism and speech and communication difficulties. As he requires full-time care Mum has had to give up work placing significant financial pressure on the family. His bedroom carpet is now extremely worn and poses a safety concern. We hope, through generous donations, to provide a replacement carpet making their home safer warmer and more comfortable. Any support would make a meaningful difference
£150 needed for two chests of drawers
This single mum and two daughters live in a very overcrowded house. Mum would like two chests of drawers to help sort out the girls clothes and de-clutter their bedrooms to create space for them to play. They have very little money and therefore can't afford to purchase this themselves.
£100 needed for chest of drawers
Mum is a single parent to three children and has recently moved into a new home. The family are in need of a chest of drawers to provide suitable storage for their clothes and help them settle into their new home. Mum is currently unemployed and managing on a limited income. With the costs of moving and meeting the everyday needs of three children, she is unable to afford the chest of drawers herself. Support towards this would make a practical difference to the family.
£200 needed for a tumble dryer
J lives with teenage son who has additional needs. Because of some of his needs, his clothing and bedding needs washing and drying regularly. They live in a flat and their tumble dryer has broken meaning it is difficult to dry bedding quick enough to reuse. They would really appreciate support towards this unforseen cost. Are you able to help?
£200 needed for coats and shoes for three children
This lady, who is one of our volunteers, comes from Bangladesh and is on her own with 3 daughters. She has been looking for work but hasn't had any success so far. Her girls all need coats and stronger shoes for the winter but she's struggling to cover her bills and food costs on her benefits. Being able to buy them would be a huge boost to the family as the weather gets colder and energy bills go up.
£200 needed for a wardrobe and chest of drawers
D is a single woman who will soon be moving from assisted living into private residence. She has been able to access some furniture but is still in need of a wardrobe and chest of drawers in the bedroom. She is in receipt of Universal Credit which just covers the weekly essentials. Are you able to help with these final bits of furniture to help D in her fresh start?
£200 needed for a freezer
This family have downsized to a bungalow, after a long wait for a suitable property for their non-verbal autistic teenager. The new property is in a village with no supermarkets. The child needs 24 hour care and neither parent drives. The kitchen has a small under counter fridge They have been saving to furnish the property, but need help to purchase a slimline, tall freezer for their living area, enabling them to buy and store food in bulk, reducing the frequency of their shopping trips.
£185 needed for a cooker
This lady and her child fled domestic abuse and were placed temporarily in a safe house to recover. She receives benefits. Now they have been allocated a home but it is empty with not even a cooker. We can provide a reconditioned one with a 6 month warranty. Please will you help.