A CHARITY has sent a message of thanks to Journal readers for their response to the paper’s Put In A Pound appeal to help charities and voluntary groups cope with extra demand from the cost of living crisis.
We are asking readers to donate £1 to the appeal, which is raising money for Wiltshire Community Foundation’s Cost of Living Crisis Fund. Money from the fund goes direct to grass roots charities and voluntary groups who are working in communities with families and affected by the crisis.
Fiona Oliver, the foundation’s joint chief executive, said: “We are very thankful to everyone who has donated so far. Even in these tough times it is heartening to see people thinking of others and sparing some money.”
The foundation will be able to increase any reader’s donation to Put In A Pound by 50 per cent through match funding – up to the value of £25,000 – meaning each £1 donated becomes £1.50.
The unending pressure of having to get by on a low income or the feeling of failure when unable to provide for the family can take its toll on mental health.
Help Counselling, which supports dozens of clients from all over the county who are struggling with their mental health, has had to close its waiting list twice in the last year and has increased its counsellors from 12 to 24 to meet an 80 per cent increase in demand since 2018.
It asks clients to make voluntary donations for their sessions but has seen a marked drop in what people can afford to pay, which means its own costs are escalating. “All of our energy bills are going up but we cannot pass those costs on,” said chief executive Amanda Wilkes.
“People are having to make really difficult choices – access mental health services or put food in the table. That then rolls on to other problems because if a mother is already suffering from anxiety and now she is not eating properly and is still worrying about paying bills while not being able to access support. That is only going to affect her children even more.”
Mrs Oliver said: “We hear from groups all the time that the effects of living in poverty spill into all sorts of areas of people’s lives when it puts a strain on their relationships, their children and their own mental health.
“What is worrying is that we are seeing demand for support from groups like Help Counselling escalate at the same time as their own costs are going up. That’s why our fund is so vital.”
There are several ways you can donate.
By credit or debit card by calling 01380 715453 (Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm)
By post, with cheques made payable to Wiltshire Community Foundation, to Sandcliff House, 21 Northgate Street, Devizes, SN10 1JT
Online at bit.ly/putinapound or by scanning this QR code.
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