Examples Of Recent Grants
A request from a support worker housing aid charity which was working with a lady who had poor mobility, having been born with her knees back to front. She had debts and was trying to move to a smaller property as her flat mate had moved out leaving her liable for bedroom tax. (She had been unsuccessful in applying for Personal Independence Benefit and was in touch with Citizens Advice). Her clothes were in a terrible condition.
A grant of £100 for clothing was given.
A social worker made a request for four children under 10 living with their mother. The family had experienced domestic abuse, parental mental ill health and paternal parental substance misuse and low income.
A grant of £150 was given for new mattresses and bedding for children.
A family support worker made a request for a family where the mother of two teenage children had recently become ill with epilepsy and had to give up work. The eldest child had left school last year and was not working. The youngest child had school attendance problems. The family cooker had stopped working.
A grant of £150 was made for the purchase of a reconditioned working cooker.
A housing support worker made a request for a lady with a 12 year old daughter, who had been sofa surfing after experiencing domestic violence from partner. They were given safe accommodation. The request was for bedroom furniture for her 12 year old daughter.
A grant of £80 was made.
A social worker made a request for an 11 year old boy who had experienced several moves -the last one living with his mother, mother's partner and their baby. The relationship with his mother had broken down and he moved in with his father, step mother and three half siblings under five in a 2 bedroom property. There was little space and the boy was unable to bring some of his belongings, which the mother said she needed to sell as she had lost child benefit. The boy had started at a new school.
A grant of £150 was made to help with personal items and school work.
A support worker got in contact with me on behalf of a lady unable to work since September 2017 due to an accident in which a mobility scooter went over her foot and left her wearing a boot. She also suffered from depression and anxiety. She did not apply for the correct benefits which left her with financial debts and worries.
A grant of £80 was made towards logs for her log burner.
A 68 year old man with diabetes made a request. His illness has necessitated the amputation of some of his toes and he lives on a state pension and pension credit. His front door is rotten and he cannot afford to replace it. Applications have been successfully made to other charities but there was a remaining shortfall.
A grant of £100 was paid to assist in making good the shortfall, enabling a new secure door to be fitted.
A request made by a single mother of 5 children, ages ranging from 3 years to 15 years and has severe mental illness. She lives with the curtains closed, does not socialise, often there are no light bulbs and there is sparse furniture and furnishings. The eldest boy sleeps on a mattress on the floor but mum has recently bought beds for the other boys. Their clothes are stored in 3 black bags stored under the beds. Mum currently sleeps on the sofa under coats and the 3 year old daughter has until recently been in with her brothers but has now been provided with a bed. Mum has recently engaged with Social Services and now recognises that the issues that the children now suffer are as a result of her own mental health problems and is working with the recovery team to change this.
A grant of £120 was paid to assist in purchasing white goods and furniture.
A 65 year old man made a request after being made homeless after the death of his mother. He has been offered an unfurnished sheltered flat but has no white goods, furniture, bedding or household items. He is currently sleeping on the floor and is recovering from surgery for an abdominal aortic aneurism 9 weeks ago.
A grant of £100 was paid to assist in purchasing white goods and furniture.
A family have 8 children, 3 of whom have Special Needs. Both parents work long hours in low income jobs and struggle to cope with the upkeep of the home and financially. The family have recently been re-housed following testifying at a court case at which a neighbour was convicted for serious sex crimes. The house is newly decorated but there are no carpets and curtains.
A grant of £100 was paid to assist in purchasing carpets and curtains.
A request from a 29 year old woman who has a young daughter. She had to leave work when the mental health of her grandparents (who looked after her daughter) deteriorated. She has also been struggling with mental health problems and has been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder. She has recently managed to get 2 jobs, working as a cleaner for 7.5 hours a week and will shortly be starting work in a shop for 20 hours a week. After leaving her full-time work to care for her daughter, she found herself in debt problems. Even though she has found work, her income is insufficient to meet the debt and to cover housing and living costs.
A grant of £90 was paid to meet the cost of obtaining a Debt Relief Order.
A request made from a single lady who has recently been discharged from a long stay in hospital having suffered a pulmonary embolus in both lungs and pneumonia. She was in employment through an agency prior to her illness but the agency was unable to keep her position open for her. Her support worker became aware that she has no bed and is sleeping on cushions on the floor. Her only source of income is Employment and Support Allowance and she is unable to find the money to buy a bed.
A grant of £90 was paid to assist in meeting the cost of purchasing a bed and mattress.
A request from an elderly man who fell at home and sustained a fractured leg and severe sprain to his ankle. Whilst in hospital, he fell again and fractured his left arm. He is now unable to live in his previous furnished accommodation and is to move to an unfurnished flat on his discharge from hospital.
A grant of £80 was paid to assist in meeting the cost of purchasing household items.
A request from a single mother of 5 children aged between 10 and 19 years. All of the children suffer serious physical and/or mental health problems. She receives benefits but has many outgoings, especially fuel for her car as she has to get her children to many different medical appointments. As a result she struggles financially and is unable to buy new clothes for the children.
A grant of £100 was paid to assist in meeting the cost of purchasing clothing for the children.
