Cost of Living Crisis – Support in York
The cost of living crisis is increasingly impacting our communities in York and putting additional pressure on our Sector as we respond to the needs within our communities. Working with City of York Council and York’s VCSE Sector, we’ve collated the following resources and information to support your organisation and the people and communities you work with.
Support for your members
The information in this document was been provided by VCSE organisations for the Cost of Living Crisis – Support in York event which took place on 6 October 2022. For the latest information, please visit the websites provided.
Support for your organisation
This information is intended to your VCSE Sector organisation with a range of information and resources to support you through the Cost of Living Crisis.
If your VCSE organisation needs direct support, please get in touch with our Funding and Development Officer, Jane Granville (jane.granville@yorkcvs.org.uk).
Supporting your staff and volunteers:
- NCVO – Supporting the mental health and wellbeing of your team
- Humber and North Yorkshire Health and Care Partnership – Download ‘Our People’ App designed to maintain and improve the wellbeing and physical and mental health of staff and volunteers by providing a range of self-help resources to people ‘on the go’. GooglePlay download | iOS download
- Humber and North Yorkshire Health and Care Partnership – The Resilience Hub is completely confidential and offers advice and support that can help with a range of issues. You can get in touch by email or via our wellbeing questionnaire.
- Charity Worker discounts – exclusive discounts, cashback and vouchers for charity workers and volunteers. Click here to find out more.
Useful articles:
- CharityComms – Practical comms lessons for the cost of living crisis
- Charity Digital – Understanding supporter behaviour in the cost-of-living crisis
- GOV.UK – Energy Bill Relief Scheme
- Charity Excellence – Charity Excellence has launched #SurviveAndThrive toolkit to help charities supporting the most vulnerable through the cost of living crisis, but the huge increase in energy costs for heating and lighting impact everyone and the vulnerable the most. This resource lists 30+ ideas to reduce your energy costs both within your charity workplace and your own home.
- ACEVO (Association of Chief Executives of Voluntary Organisations) – Links to reports, surveys and important data to support civil society leaders to better understand the impact of the crisis on their organisations, stakeholders and the sector at large. Click here to access the following resources:
- Research and intelligence
- Media coverage and other publications/articles
- Tools and guides to support your colleagues and employees
- Health and wellbeing support
- Actions, campaigns and funding
Funding
Thanks to our friends over at Sector Support North East Lincolshire Partnership for sharing the following funding resources with us:
Cost of Living (The) Crisis Fund
Amount: Up to £2,000
Deadline: 30 November 2022 (first deadline of a rolling programme)
The Cost of Living Crisis Fund has been created as a response to the spiralling cost of living. The initial focus of the fund will be to offer groups funding of up to £2,000 to deal with critical issues in their communities.
Visit Two Ridings Community Foundation’s website to view all the funding opportunities that are currently available.
Asda Foundation - Cost of Living
Amount: £500 – £2,000
Deadline: 1 February 2023
The aim of the grant is to help local community groups cope with the increase in their running costs between September 2022 and February 2023. The priorities for funding are:
• Rent and utility bills.
• Food costs, such as community cafes, food parcels, delivered meals, soup kitchens, etc
Aviva Community Fund - Cost of Living Boost (with Crowdfunding)
Amount: Up to £50,000
Deadline: None
This new one-off funding is in recognition that the rising cost of living is putting extra strain on individuals, communities and the causes that support them. Aviva will match donations pound for pound up to £250 between 4 October and 31 December 2022 or until the entire £2 million is allocated.
British Gas Energy Trust
Amount: up to £1,500
Deadline: None
The Trust currently offers two funds:
• Individuals and Families Fund
• British Gas Energy Support Fund
Both are intended to tackle fuel poverty by clearing the energy debts of struggling households and respond to the ongoing cost-of-living crisis.
BBC Children in Need Emergency Essentials Programme (UK)
Amount: Items will be provided directly rather than awarding a cash grant
Deadline: None
This programme provides items for the most basic needs of vulnerable children and young people who may be:
• Living in severe poverty and suffering deprivation as a result.
• Affected by additional social issues such as domestic abuse, substance misuse, estrangement, disability or serious illness, mental health or behavioural difficulties, abuse or neglect.
COSARAF – Hardship Fund
Amount: Up to £2,000
Deadline: None
This fund aims to support individuals and families who are struggling with everyday costs, such as basic living expenses, household items and utilities, or rent arrears.
Sport England: Active Together (with Crowdfunding)
Amount: Up to £10,000
Deadline: None
The funding is intended to help sport and physical activity organisations to move forward with priority projects and running costs that they might be struggling with due to the pandemic or the cost of living crisis or other local crisis situations such as
adverse weather.
National Lottery Community Fund - Awards for All
Amount: £300 – £10,000
Deadline: None
In addition to meeting one or more of the funding priorities NLCF are also able to fund projects that: support people, communities and organisations that are facing increased demands and challenges as a direct result of the cost-of-living crisis.
Apply online