Appeal Charity issues emergency donations plea to help it survive
ACHARITY that provides financial advice to people in Knowle West has issued an “emergency” funding plea amid the cost of living crisis.
Filwood Hope has been offering help to people on everything from debt and benefits to housing since December 1996, but it is in need of donations in order to survive in its current form.
The charity currently has three part-time members of staff as well as 10 volunteers, but it says it cannot continue as it is without support.
Pearl Aitken, who has worked at Filwood Hope since 2008 and has managed it since 2012, told the Post’s sister website Bristol Live the centre was in need of £10,000 and without that money it would not be able to serve people in need properly.
She said: “I don’t want to beat my own drum but it is a centre that’s well used by the community. Sometimes it’s routine things, but quite often it’s been people that are in crisis.
“We will have more people coming in the door because of the cost of living crisis, probably some very desperate situations, and of course I think it would be a great shame if we weren’t able to offer what we’re offering at the moment.
“And if we had to limit our hours, or whatever else, it would have an impact on the community, I’m sure.”
Pearl said the charity’s funding had diminished since Covid-19 arrived, because many grants the charity had been receiving began to be given to services that spearheaded the pandemic relief effort.
During the pandemic, Filwood Hope did not furlough any staff, which meant it could keep providing services to people in need. But now it has had to dip into its reserves just to keep running.
And without extra help, it might have to start making difficult decisions, including on redundancies – although Pearl insists they are doing everything they can to make sure that won’t happen.
“There’s nothing unusual about the reason why we’re in this position. I think we’re one of many who are in this position,” she said.
“So that’s where we’ve got to, and we just want to do everything we can not to lose any staff or reduce our services in any way, but still wanting to be available to the community at the level we have been for the past almost 25 years.”
With the cost of living crisis putting many of Bristol’s poorest people in extremely difficult circumstances, Pearl says Filwood Hope’s services are more vital than they have ever been.
“Often we’re the first port of call for people and we’re then able to set them on the right road to resolve whatever issue they’re looking at,” she said. “I think at this point in time it’s probably needed more than ever”.
The emergency appeal, which can be found on Filwood Hope’s website, says it has “ambitious plans”, but adds: “As we know from air travel safety briefings, one has to put one’s oxygen mask on first. For us to help our clients towards resilience, we need to be financially resilient ourselves.
“We’ve established some strong foundations to build upon – a new training course equipping clients with financial literacy, a new database and a new fundraising plan. Please don’t let us be prevented from supporting people right now. We have some funding and more fundraising lined up, but need a buffer to act on our rescue plan. Please help us raise the missing £10,000.”
To support the fundraiser visit https://www.filwoodhope.org/ appeal
We will have more people coming in the door because of the cost of living crisis, probably some very desperate situations
Pearl Aitken