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 9 days
£175 needed for a fridge
Arriving in the UK as an unaccompanied child when he was 12, this man has had a very difficult life. He escaped violence in his country of origin but since arriving here he has developed severe mental health problems and, following an assault, he also has ongoing physical problems including epilepsy and the loss of one kidney. He has suicidal thoughts and finds managing his affairs very difficult. His fridge has broken down now and he would be very grateful for help to replace it.
£150 needed for a shopping voucher for food, toiletries and bedding
D has been struggling to find work due to his poor mental health. He's reluctant to get help due to seeing what medication did to his father, which has caused long-term trauma for him. He just about manages to scrape by on his low benefit income but recently has fallen behind on a monthly bill due to a technical error at the receivers end. This has thrown the clients budgeting out and he is in need of a little help to get by this. Would you be able to help him with food and much needed bedding so he is able to pay these arrears?
£200 needed for a washing machine
E and her husband have health issues that prevent them to work. They are on benefits and use our foodbank. One of their three teenagers recently got stabbed and was moved out of London by the police for his own safety, so this family is having a very hard time. Apart from blessing them with parcels from the foodbank we would like to support them to replace their broken washing machine. Can you help?
£200 needed for a sofa and bed
This family of five are from Ghana. They have three children, 8,5 and 3 years.Their father has recently started work as an NHS cleaner but the move from Universal Credit to wages has left a temporary financial gap.They have been allocated a house but lack essential furniture including a bed and sofa. They have food support but the school holidays have increased financial pressure.The school support this application as parents engage and are always grateful. A donation would help them through this transition.
£180 needed for clothing and supermarket vouchers
A house fire has meant that this young man has had to leave his home as it is not safe to return to. He is living in temporary accommodation. He was not able to take anything with him so he is finding it hard being without his belongings and he is in shock about what happened. We are requesting donations for clothing and supermarket vouchers. It has been a difficult few days as so much has happened.
£200 needed for a double bed and mattress
This man lives alone on Universal Credit and incapacity benefit. He is finding it hard to manage in the current economic climate. He is a big man and his bed offers him little support, so sleep is difficult. Please can you help him get a new bed so that he is able to get a good night's sleep? Thank you.
£200 needed for a fridge freezer
A is a survivor of domestic abuse who is moving from temporary accommodation into her own home. As she does not have a fridge freezer, support with this essential item would help her settle into her new home. Could you please support A with funding towards a fridge freezer to help her live independently?
£200 needed for kitchen and bathroom essentials
This young person has moved on from a 12 month tenancy at a supported accommodation where they provide furniture so he has no household items. He is pleased to have his own flat and sees it as a stepping stone to independent living. He has no funds for essential items and would be very grateful if we could help him get a microwave, kettle, toaster, crockery, cutlery, pots, pans and utensils for the the kitchen and bathroom essentials like towels, toilet brush and tooth brush holder.
£150 needed for an air conditioning unit
This family with three children were due to move into a new flat but were told last minute they would not be moving. Their current flat is cramped, in very poor condition and doesn't have windows that open. In the heat it's very hard to cool the flat, which is very difficult for them. A small air con unit would make a big difference. They cannot afford this themselves as Dad is unable to work due to a health condition and Mum works part time as she needs to care for her husband and children.