UK Cost-of-Living Crisis Relief Fund

Thank you for your generous donation to GlobalGiving’s UK Cost-of-Living Crisis Relief Fund. As the UK faces the worst cost-of-living crisis in 50 years, organisations supporting the vulnerable and marginalized communities are seeing demand for and cost of services increase dramatically. With your support, GlobalGiving issued eight emergency grants to vetted, long-time partners responding to rising community needs during this crisis. 

Here is a brief description of the critical work you’re supporting through your generosity: 

1. Be Enriched nourishes communities through food and their services are increasingly in demand. The organisation’s Community Canteens build community, increase access to healthy food, and provide skills training for those who are out of work. They bring people together to share knowledge and cultivate relationships, and aim to empower communities. 
2. Operating in 15 regions in the UK, Generating Genius supports Black African and Caribbean students to become the next generation of STEM talent. With support from Generating Genius, these students will get access to the resources they need today so they can thrive tomorrow. 
3. Central London Samaritans provides round the clock emotional support to people who are struggling to cope. Program volunteers work with the most vulnerable individuals, including the homeless, the LGBTQ+ community, those bereaved by suicide, and people in prison. The organisation has never closed their phone lines since opening in 1953 and today staff are responding to the cost-of-living crisis as it puts further pressure on low-income individuals who are already at greater risk of suicide. 
4. yourSanctuary is a Surrey-based charity supporting survivors of domestic abuse. The charity seeks to empower clients to make informed choices about their lives and if necessary to advocate for them so that they are treated with respect, dignity, and understanding. Amid the ongoing cost-of-living crisis, this charity has seen services costs rise and funding sources dwindle. 
5. Bromley Youth Music Trust (BYMT) knows music changes lives. They work in South London providing music and singing lessons and access to music groups and choirs free of charge. This year, the organisation has received an unprecedented number of applications for financial assistance and is working to ensure every child has the opportunity to play a musical instrument or sing in a choir. 
6. The Nucleo Project uses music to transform the lives of over 380 children in West London, where the majority come from disadvantaged neighborhoods impacted by the Grenfell tragedy. The charity works to break down the financial barriers to accessing a musical education and ensures that young people have the opportunity to discover a passion, develop a talent, and forge new friendships.  
7. The Centre for Armenian Information & Advice (CAIA) builds bridges toward equality, opportunity, cultural identity, and greater inclusivity for Armenians in the UK. This year, CAIA has put additional focus on helping disadvantaged UK Armenians cope with the cost-of-living crisis and Ukrainian Armenians seeking sanctuary from the war.
8. FirstLight Trust works with veterans, a group frequently considered by other charitable organisations to be beyond the scope of available resources. FirstLight Trust rehabilitates veterans back into their communities. They’re expecting many more requests for assistance with the cost of living crisis unfolding on top of relationships under stress from the accumulated pressure of the lockdown, social isolation, and work patterns changing with different skill sets required. 

While inflation has started to decrease and is expected to keep falling in 2023, costs remain high and real income will likely lag for years to come. Meanwhile, those hit hardest by the cost-of-living crisis will take the longest and require the most support to recover. 

GlobalGiving will make another round of grants to our vetted nonprofit partners in the UK in the months ahead. We will continue to update you as our partners’ incredible work continues. 

Thank you again for your generosity during a difficult time for all. 

With gratitude, 

Kelly + the GlobalGiving Team