Cost of living crisis fund to support frontline charities
Greenham Trust and council launch emergency appeal as food and energy prices impact
GREENHAM Trust and West Berkshire Council have launched an Emergency Cost of Living Crisis Fund to help support charities involved in providing “front-line” support to people in need.
With annual energy bills more than doubling in the last year, the Government forced to freeze household bills at £2,500 a year and inflation forecast to reach 13 per cent by December, the trust and district council have pledged £50,000 each in 1:1 match funding, hoping that a further £100,000 can be raised for charities to provide emergency assistance to disadvantaged families and individuals.
Greenham Trust chief executive Chris Boulton said: “This is a rapidly developing emergency situation for many families and individuals who are struggling to pay for food and their energy bills.”
He highlighted the “welcome” support the Government is providing in the form of an energy price freeze and the £400 off energy bills in October, but asked for donations to support those still in need.
The severity of the situation was highlighted by manager at West Berks Foodbank Fran Chamings. She said: “So many of our community are being forced into making dreadful choices. This is so much more than just ‘eat or heat’.
“We know of families that are rationing food; households that are washing their clothes by hand in cold water; working parents that come to us for baby formula and nappies; pensioners that are asking for incontinence and denture products as they can no longer afford them.
“We urge you to help if you can, to relieve hunger, restore dignity and revive hope.”
Newbury Community Resource Centre chief executive Kelvin Hughes added: “Having
held numerous discussions with customers and local partners over the past month, it is clear, that we are going to be dealing with many more cases than usual.
“Families and individuals are struggling due to furniture poverty, food poverty, fuel poverty, debt, digital exclusion and rural isolation. We also expect (and indeed have already witnessed) people accessing our services who have previously always ‘managed’.
“They are mainly families in full-time employment and are at an added disadvantage in that they have no knowledge or experience of seeking out support.”
Charities that provide emergency food support and debt and cost of living crisis management support in West Berkshire are now playing an even more important role.
Speaking about the fund, West Berkshire Council leader Lynne Doherty (Con, Speen) said the groups “do beneficial work across the district helping most in need of support”.
If you would like to make a donation to the appeal please visit https://app.thegoodexchange.com/project/19728/ greenham-trust/west-berkshire-emergency-cost-of-living-crisis-appeal.
For more information about the Emergency Cost of Living Crisis Fund and details of how to apply, please visit https:// greenhamtrust.com/greenham-trust-grant-funding/ our-current-funding-opportunities/
Charities are invited to apply for the funding – via The Good Exchange – which will be available until at least the end of the financial year.
Other charitable funders and the public and local companies are also invited to make grants and donations via the Emergency Cost of Living Crisis Fund on The Good Exchange, which will be automatically match funded by Greenham Trust.
This is a rapidly developing emergency situation for many families and individuals who are struggling to pay for food and their energy bills