imagine if have been supporting disadvantaged people in Leeds with the significant impact of the cost of living crisis since 2022, throughout 2023 and in 2024.

We have supported people we currently work with, those we have worked with in the past and those we know of through our partner organisations (Getting Clean, Holbeck Football Club, Lewisham Park Community Centre) who are vulnerable and facing complex issues. We identified if they were struggling with the financial impacts of the cost-of-living crisis and if so, we arranged appropriate support for them.

“The support I received with the food vouchers and Wi-Fi was a total lifesaver. The food vouchers made sure I had enough to eat during a tough time and the assistance with the Wi-Fi got me reconnected to the internet while I was awaiting an interview confirmation for a job. It made a world of difference for me, and I am so grateful for that support.” Care Experienced Young Person

 

Consultancy UK, 2023

 

“As of January 2023, 92% of UK households reported that their cost of living had increased compared with a year earlier. The households in question mainly attributed this increase to higher food, electricity, and fuel costs. The crisis is even more acute for the poorest UK households.” Statista

The assistance we offered varied on an individual basis, some people needed one off support with food as they did not have enough to eat, some people needed more help with gas and electric plus other essentials and other people needed financial aid as well as emotional support. We worked with a wide range of disadvantaged people, including those with lived experience of the care system, those struggling with mental health issues and people with convictions by providing them with food/gas/electric/wifi vouchers as well as essential items (such as cookers or microwaves). We provided advice on employment and mental health issues and signposted them to other organisations who could provide more specialised support. We even managed to offer some of the people paid work with us directly, enhancing their work experience and CV as well as paying them the real living wage for freelance work with us.

“I just want to say a massive thank you for all the help you have given us, it has helped so much getting the food vouchers and been able to bring my gas and electric debt down a bit. Thank you again.” Unemployed person with mental health issues and two young children

insolvencyandlaw.co.uk

 

Case Study of a beneficiary – John*

John had been released from prison one year ago and managed to secure a flat and a full-time job. However, in Autumn 2022, John sadly lost his job and became reliant on Universal Credit to pay his rent, household bills and put food on the table. But, as the Big Issue stated in April 2023, Universal Credit is not enough for people to live on: 

“It’s no longer a choice between heating or eating – many vulnerable people living in the UK can’t afford either and are relying on charities to survive.” 

John began to struggle and was unable to keep his flat warm, shower, or watch TV as he couldn’t afford to pay for his electricity. Due to losing his job, John also struggled to afford to feed himself and often went without food. He was actively wanting to secure a job but when we met with him, he was spending a lot of time in bed due to being cold, hungry, and not having any energy or motivation.

Our ongoing support helped John in so many ways; from providing him with food and electricity to signposting him to local food banks and mental health support groups, to sending him information about potential jobs. John has since secured a better property for himself that doesn’t have storage heaters or an electric meter, meaning his household bills will be significantly lower moving forward. His motivation to find work has also increased and he is keenly applying for jobs.

“The help you have offered has been such a big relief for me mentally and physically. I’m so grateful for what you do, as I would have probably resulted back to crime in them hard moments, but you got me through and although the funding has stopped your help doesn’t stop there, you give me advice and options to go through and make me feel better about going forward with my life again.” John

A graffiti sign to a food bank in Leeds, UK. Daniel Harvey Gonzalez/In Pictures via Getty Images, 2022

 

Kelly* is a single parent with two young children. She can only work part time due to her lack of childcare which meant she was struggling with the cost-of-living crisis and having to choose between keeping the house warm, the lights on or buying food.
The support we gave her meant she didn’t have to choose between these essentials For her and her young family.

“This has helped me and taken a lot of stress off my mind. Thank you so much.” Kelly

 

*Names changed to protect peoples identities

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