Increasing the limit for requests for help
You may have noticed that the monetary limit for requests for help has increased on our website, which means that our local partners can now post requests up to the upper limit of £200 (instead of the previous £150). This is a decision we have recently made, with our Trustees, to make sure that we can continue to help individuals with the items that they need most.
Why?
With the rising cost of living in the UK we have been made aware that it is becoming increasingly difficult for our Advocates, and their recipients, to find larger items within the previous limit of £150.
Therefore, we have made the decision to increase the limit for requests to £200. However, as with our previous limit on requests, we ask our Advocates to only use this upper limit where absolutely necessary for specific larger items, such as cookers, washing machines and fridge freezers.
Although we have increased the upper limit for each request, one household is still able to have up to three requests. This means that we can enable our donors to help individuals and families in a crisis, but highlights that we're not an on-going financial support.
Alongside the guidelines around the upper limit we also have in place other guidelines on some items, and have increased or stipulated these where we feel necessary. We have placed reasonable limits for some specific items, such as £100 for a mobile phone or £75 for a microwave.
How do we keep track of these limits?
With the launch of our new website and back-end systems in June 2022, we were able to integrate some new processes. One of these processes is that each request posted by our local partners gets read by our staff team before it goes live onto the website. This enables us to question and, where needed, amend the amount or request. This process helps us to keep the system fair for every applicant, making sure all our guidelines are adhered to.
As we increase the limit on each request we're very thankful to all our donors, each giving what they can; whether meeting a need in full or giving towards a request. In 2022 the most popular amount donated was £50, which on its own wouldn't be sufficient to meet in full one of the requests on our website. That's what we love about Acts 435 - it is as people donate, alongside others, to the same need, that they can together support an individual in crisis. We are trusting that in spite of the cost of living crisis continuing to impact so many, our donors will still step up with us in generosity to continue to meet the needs of those seeking our help, even as we increase the maximum limit of our requests.
Give to an urgent need today!
The average time for a need to be fully funded is currently 6 days
£200 needed for an oven
S lives with her husband and three children. For the last six months, they have not had a fully working oven and have been using one hob ring to prepare meals for the five of them. The hob is inefficient and expensive, and is costing a lot to run. S is juggling working part-time and looking after her children. Her husband is, unfortunately, unable to work. The family really need a new oven so they can cook the food they are receiving from the foodbank. Please can you help?
£150 needed for electricity bills and food
S is on a very low income, receiving only the basic Universal Credit of £393 per month. He was recently released from prison, which means he doesn't receive full housing benefits and needs to top his monthly rent up himself. S is struggling to meet his basic living costs, buy food and pay his utilities, but he has no family support. Please can you provide a donation to help him get back on his feet?
£200 needed for a bed
E is a single mum with four children. One son has special needs, meaning mum has been unable to work and has run up debts. Her son has outgrown his bed and she wants to buy a larger one to make him more comfortable. Please can you help?
£200 needed for a washing machine and a cooker
Our client, who is dealing with severe mental health issues, has moved from temporary accommodation into a more permanent home to start regaining some independence. They are currently suffering from financial hardship and are in need of a washing machine to wash their clothes, as well as a cooker to be able to make hot meals at home. These items will improve their overall mental wellbeing and independence in their new home.
£180 needed for a wardrobe, chest of drawers, fridge freezer and a lamp
H is a single lady who has been offered a property, but unfortunately there was no furniture at all. H came here with some savings, but these are nearly gone and she is struggling to furnish her house and feed herself too. H is in urgent need of a fridge freezer, a wardrobe, a chest of drawers and a lamp for her house. She would appreciate any support.
£200 needed for food, a microwave and a kettle
Following a recent heart attack, three months ago, this gentleman finds himself in need of ongoing assistance. We are urgently requesting a regular food parcel, a kettle and a microwave. Our client was referred to us by Peabody after an outreach encounter where he was soliciting passers-by for food or financial aid. Although he has a flat, this gentleman's health condition prevents him from being able to work. Any support provided during this challenging time would be greatly appreciated.
£200 needed for supplying and fitting a living room carpet
A and his partner have been given a flat after being homeless and are in need of a living room carpet. They have nothing and are waiting for their benefits to be processed. They have no family able to help, as family have disowned them because they are not the same nationality. A few friends have given them some kitchen items. Please can you help them with a carpet?
£200 needed for a table and chairs
C is a young, single mum who has been living with her ex-partner's family but, due to the breakdown of the relationship and him having a new girlfriend, she had to leave. C has now been housed and family and friends have helped furnish it as much as they can. She is in need of a table and chairs as she has always sat at the table with her family, talking and enjoying being a family together, especially at meal times, which are a great time to unwind and offload. C is waiting for her benefits to be processed and cannot afford to buy these items.
£110 needed for a dehumidifier
Our client is currently on long term sick, due to her medical conditions, including fibromyalgia and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. She owns her property and has issues with penetrating damp. The costs of the works, in addition to the cost of scaffolding, is unobtainable for our client as she is reliant on benefits, due to her health conditions. A dehumidifier would help to combat the high humidity which is exacerbating her health conditions and help her to maintain a healthy living environment.