Lincolnshire charities are increasingly relying on donations to help families heat their homes and feed their children as we head into the colder winter months.
An increased demand for their services is stretching charities as the cost-of-living crisis pushes the price of food and fuel to record levels.
Inflation is at its highest in 40 years. A report completed by the Charities Aid Foundation found that 27% of people have family and friends who are struggling to pay bills.
Scott McGinn, from the Lincolnshire YMCA, said: “Making a choice between heating and eating, concerns about security, and fear of losing jobs and homes are all pressures faced by the people we support at YMCA Lincolnshire.
“These pressures have increased the demand for our services.”
The Charities Aid report also found that 58% of people are cutting back on discretionary spending and 1 in 8 people are cutting back on donations to pay bills. This is affecting donations of money and goods made to charities.
Mr McGinn said: “Charities are experiencing reduced donations because the current financial climate means that people can’t give as generously as they did before.”
YMCA Lincolnshire relies on grants and the generosity of businesses and individuals to maintain and develop our work.
Without the kindness of the community, we could not do what we do to change the lives of Lincolnshire’s most vulnerable and disadvantaged people.”
The YMCA are continuing to give emergency accommodation, free ‘EAT’ community meals and energy-related advice.
Other charities are struggling to provide support.
Leap Community Group provide housing and support services to vulnerable people in Lincolnshire. They rely on housing benefit to provide their residents with support to become more independent.
Leap Community Group representative Craig Petch said: “Although we haven’t noticed a sizeable rise in community housing applications, something needs to change.
We’re a self-sufficient business and the cost of electricity and gas is not being met by that of the housing benefit that our clients receive, and the cost is not being offset.”
Mr McGinn said: “There is always help available, and always a positive future ahead.”
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