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 fridge freezer
A, who has been sleeping rough, following the breakdown of several relationships, had very few possessions, especially after some were stolen whilst he was homeless. He is on benefits, which only just cover living costs, and has no savings. A has secured a new tenancy, but it has no fridge freezer so he is not able to store food safely, which makes shopping and cooking very difficult and expensive. A fridge freezer would let him keep food safely, and do things like batch cooking for economical meals.
£200 needed for carpet fitting
J is a single mum with two young children. Her only income is from Universal Credit and she has no savings. Mum has been living without carpets for over eighteen months now and simply can't afford the large outlay to buy them. We have the most amazing offer of free carpets, but need a little help with the cost of fitting. J would be so grateful for any support offered.
£200 needed for a bike, helmet and lock
M is an Afghan refugee who has been settled here with his family. He needs a bike to help him get to school each day, as his family are struggling with the cost of the bus. A bike will also give him independence to visit friends and learn English through other activities. We are also requesting a helmet and lock.
£200 needed for carpet fitting
L is suffering from poor mental health and PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder) after fleeing a violent relationship. She has been living in a women's refuge, but has now been offered her own home. L is having to start again and is desperate for help to set up her new home. We have been offered a full house of carpets free of charge, but we just need a little help with the cost of fitting. Praying our kind donors will assist us.
£200 needed for a fridge freezer
R is a single mum of two children, aged eleven months and three years old. She is currently in receipt of Universal Credit and Housing Benefit, which just about cover essential costs. Mum has recently been given a Housing Association property, after sharing a room with her children at her mum’s house. The house R has moved into is completely empty. She has been able to find support for a carpet and a donated oven, but we are requesting support for a fridge freezer.
£200 needed for a cooker
EH is a single adult who has her twenty two year old, Autistic son living with her. Their only income is from benefits. Mum's cooker is not working properly and this is especially difficult as she is trying to teach her son how to use it, in order that he can be more independent. Due to her low income and own health difficulties, EH is unable to afford to replace the cooker herself.
£200 needed for utility bills and food vouchers
L and her young son have experienced months of domestic violence and the impact has affected their mental health and wellbeing. Mum is unable to return to work due to this trauma. She is very low and has reached out to us for help, as she is not entitled to benefits and has no family support. This money would be split and would enable L to top-up her gas and electric. The remainder would go towards food vouchers as her son has special dietary needs.
£200 needed for a washing machine
P and her family are Iraqi refugees who had to flee a horrific trauma. They are settling in York and have been offered a completely unfurnished home. We are looking to buy them a fridge freezer, washing machine and beds. This is the first of two requests to help them. We hope to buy them a washing machine with this donation. Thank you.
£200 needed for a bed frame and mattress
X and her son were moved into a temporary studio flat five years ago. He is now twenty and they are both sleeping in the lounge on camp beds. They both struggle with their mental health, which makes leaving the flat difficult, so means they are in the same small space most of the time. X has come to our Christians Against Poverty debt centre for help with her debts and to get back on her feet. This money would go to a bed frame and mattress for her son.