Wiltshire charity launches appeal to help with cost of living crisis
The county's Community Foundation has set it up
A new appeal's been launched by the Wiltshire Community Foundation (WCF), to help people struggling because of the rising cost of living.
Poverty Hurts will provide grants to charities and voluntary groups across the county, who are facing increased demand due to increasing household costs.
The appeal's been given a £50,000 kickstart by Wiltshire based building society Nationwide.
Wiltshire Community Foundation joint chief executive Fiona Oliver said:
“We know that many people in our communities have found the early months of 2022 incredibly difficult. The increase in the cost of living is pushing low-income families and individuals deeper into hardship and poverty and the situation is only going to get worse.
“Poverty doesn’t just put a huge economic strain on an individual or family but can also affect their mental and physical health, social development and educational attainment, relationships and family stability. And this is why support from voluntary groups and charities is so vital.”
Services like foodbanks, debt counsellors, family support groups and mental health groups across Wiltshire could receive funding from the Poverty Hurts Appeal.
Many organistations have already approached WCF to tell them more families and individuals are coming to them for help and they're expecting numbers to rise significantly in the coming months.
Fiona Oliver from the Foundation says charities and groups are finding it hard too:
“They are also seeing their own overheads going up and are at risk of having to make difficult choices about continuing some of the services they provide – just at the point when people need them most.
“That is why we are so grateful that Nationwide has recognised this and reacted so quickly with this generous contribution. Their donation will enable us to provide additional support to local charities and voluntary groups, the backbone of our communities, and help to fulfil our joint aim of enabling more people locally to thrive. We can’t thank them enough.”
Rachel Smith, Senior Social Investment Manager at Nationwide said:
“In the face of a soaring cost of living crisis, it is critical that businesses, communities and local government can come together to support the most vulnerable in our society. That mutual spirit is nowhere better displayed than at Wiltshire Community Foundation and the countless charities and support groups that are working hard to help local communities across our hometown of Swindon, and throughout the county. Nationwide has a longstanding relationship with the Foundation, and we are proud to be able to offer our support once more.”
You can donate to the Poverty Hurts Appeal by visiting their charity fundraising page or by calling 01380 738989.