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 3 days
£200 needed for vinyl fitting and a blind
This gentleman first made contact with us when he was sitting in the dark with no heating as he had no money for electricity. We have worked with him to help him with his debts and bills. This gentleman is in need of vinyl flooring. We can source the vinyl for free, but need help with the cost of fitting. He would also like a blind for his living room window as he feels it is very open and not private. This would also help with heating costs.
£200 needed for counselling
This lady came to us in urgent need of support, struggling with her mental health and had no access to food. At St Vincent de Paul, we have been working closely with this lady to address her most immediate needs, such as providing clothing and food. We now feel she is ready to take the next step in her journey through one-on-one counselling sessions, which will empower her to regain stability and confidence. We graciously request your assistance to help make this possible and any support would be deeply appreciated for six counselling sessions.
£160 needed for a second-hand laptop
A, an asylum seeker who is part of our weekly drop In sessions, only has a phone as digital device, and it’s difficult for him to access any online learning opportunities or information on the small screen of his phone. It would help him a lot to increase his English skills and move on in life through having his own laptop. Thank you so much for enabling A to get a second-hand laptop.
£200 needed for a box room carpet
This lady is a single parent who is working with Christians Against Poverty to become debt free. In 2024 she endured multiple issues affecting her welfare and finances. With our assistance, mum has successfully taken up a council property after many years of struggling to get repairs done by her private landlord. The home is ready to move into this week, but it is without any floor covering. Mum has had each room measured and quoted for, and we are looking to assist with carpeting a box room.
£200 needed for accommodation and clothes
This gentleman came to the St Vincent de Paul centre after becoming homeless, following a fall out with his mother’s partner. He was discharged from the career he loved after a late epilepsy diagnosis, which led to mental health struggles and substance misuse. Despite his challenges, this gentleman has been clean for six months and is determined to rebuild his life with stable accommodation. We are asking for your support to provide respite in bed and breakfast accommodation for three nights, and some clothing, offering warmth and dignity while he secures permanent housing.
£200 needed for a wardrobe, kitchen utensils, towels and bedding
E, who has been seriously ill, has moved to be closer to her daughter to receive support. Unfortunately, the removal firm failed to take all of her items, leaving a lot of them behind. The council has disposed of everything, resulting in E losing her wardrobe, all of her crockery, cutlery, cooking utensils and bedding. E was looking forward to her new life. Being able to replace the lost items would be beneficial to her physical and mental health, and enable her to fully settle in to her new home.
£160 needed for a second-hand laptop
Y is an asylum seeker who is well known within our support groups. He is very engaged and often helps us by baking amazing cakes. Y is studying hard in the English classes, but struggles to access information online and to do his homework, as he only has a phone as digital device. It would help him a lot to have a laptop on his own. Thank you so much for helping Y to get a second-hand laptop!
£200 needed for a fridge freezer
T, who has recently moved from shared living arrangements to his own home, is currently waiting for support regarding housing benefits and a reduction in Council Tax. As a Universal Credit recipient, he is unable to afford a fridge freezer, which results in frequent and expensive grocery shopping trips. Could you assist this young man by providing him with the means to keep his food chilled and help him manage his budget more effectively by freezing meals?
£200 needed for a second-hand bed, mattress and wardrobe
D, has been referred to Romero by his support worker for our help, is moving into his own accommodation and needs to buy a bed, mattress and wardrobe. He receives benefits, but hopes to start on a training programme in the New Year. D sleeps on the sofa, which is impacting on his physical and mental health, and he feels exhausted due to not having a proper night's sleep. Please would you help us to support D, so that he can turn up for training rested and ready to learn, giving him a fresh start?