Right off the back of the Pandemic, we’re facing a new crisis with regard to inflation and rising costs of living, which is affecting the young women we support, as well as the sustainability of the charity itself.
Inflation has reached a 30-year high and we are seeing increased poverty across the country, especially in and around disadvantaged communities. In July 2022, 91% of UK households reported that their cost of living had increased! It is no secret that those at the margins of society, already experiencing poverty and inequality, are once again the biggest victims in this national crisis. Young people we support often come from large families, in homes where one or more parents are unemployed and/or employed in the lower NS-SEC groupings. They are facing increased challenges, particularly food poverty and a growing inability to afford positive opportunities.
We’ve consulted with young people to see how we can support them during this time, and have adapted provisions accordingly, primarily:
(a) Engaging young women on our Food & Nutrition vocational training program to prepare packaged meals and community dinners for young people in our networks, relieving food poverty and giving our beneficiaries a chance to be changemakers and actively contribute to alleviating the challenges of others. This has been supported by a grant form The London Community Foundation, and featured on their news stories here;
(b) Refocussing our Get Set Go, independent living and financial capability program, to support young women with effectively managing household expenses and budgeting during a time of economic crisis, as well as signposting to available support across our network of partner organisations;
(c) Continuously ensuring that our provisions are at no cost to users, allowing those at the margins of society to engage in positive opportunities and high-quality youth work such as training, arts engagement, outdoor learning, and mentoring support;
(d) Increasing opening hours, providing young women with a warm and welcoming space.
As an organisation, we are also challenged, particularly with regard to premises & utility costs which are up almost 50%, as well as the increased costs associated with a growing provision and general inflation.
We have launched an emergency Crowdfunder campaign to support increased costs, and are hoping to raise £10,000 by March 2023. All donations will be matched pound for pound by the Co-Op Foundation, up to the value of £250 for each individual donation.
DONATE HERE:
