Charity’s support for vulnerable families may end this month

Children’s charity Aberlour, which supports some of Scotland’s most vulnerable families, has already warned its urgent assistance fund could run out by the end of June.

Since lockdown began, requests for funding from the charity’s urgent assistance fund have increased by 1,385% and in the last 12 weeks it has paid out more than £330,000 of grants in 1,049 applications.

The average size of grant has also risen from £100 to £300.

Liz Nolan, deputy director at Aberlour, said: “At this rate, the fund will be completely drained by the end of June.

“We’ve received applications from people who have never needed our support before, from families who have lost their jobs, have children to feed and are having to wait weeks to access Universal Credit.

“We are providing cash, rather than vouchers, direct to families as a means to support themselves.

“Most families do not have the means to travel to the large out-of-town shops where vouchers can be redeemed. We trust families to do the best for their children.”

Ms Nolan raised the case of one mother affected by the switch to Universal Credit.

She said: “When the mother lost her job in March, she faced a five-week wait to access Universal Credit, meanwhile there was no money.

“Just a week later the gas supply was cut off as they were behind on payments, leaving them with no central heating and only one electric heater between the whole family, including their two-yearold who suffered from bronchitis.

“Their only access to hot water was the kettle, making it difficult to heat a bath, and when the family washing machine broke down it was the last straw.

“We really don’t want to have to turn away families in such dire need.”