Children, families, and vulnerable individuals are among 3,000 people to have received support from The Cambridge Building Society and its £100,000 Cost of Living Crisis Fund to help local people have access to food, heating, and household essentials during the winter.
The fund was set up in partnership with Cambridgeshire Community Foundation in response to rising energy prices and the increased cost of living and was distributed through local charities.
More than half the funds helped individuals cope with unmanageable fuel and energy costs. Recognising the essential nature of warmth and comfort, this allocation helped ease the financial strain that comes with rising energy costs to ensure a safe and comfortable environment for those in desperate need.
Around £10,000 supported individuals with their food and household needs. This allocation covered essential items such as cleaning materials, toiletries, and other day to day necessities.
A further £10,000 provided households with washing machines, cookers, fridges, and freezers, helping families maintain hygiene, enjoy warm meals, and maximize the shelf life of their food.
The Fund recognised the specific needs of children, with 11% of funding going towards the purchase of beds, cots, and mattresses to ensure a safe and comfortable place for them to rest.
Peter Burrows, Chief Executive at The Cambridge, said: “We couldn’t sit by and watch people in our local communities affected by the cost-of-living crisis worry about feeding themselves and heating their homes.
“This Fund has helped local charities support more people than we ever expected, at a time when they really need it with food, fuel and items to keep warm at home, such as bedding, white goods, curtains and carpets.”
Cambridge Aid were among the local charities involved in processing applications. The charity provides financial support to people within Cambridge and its surrounding villages, in desperate need of help.
Hon. Treasurer, Paul Ray at Cambridge Aid, said: “The grants we provide offer comfort to individuals and families in need of support with essentials, and help people to maintain dignity.
“The Fund set up by The Cambridge Building Society has been a tremendous help in allowing us to meet unprecedented, record demand.”
Newmarket Open Door were also involved in processing applications. The charity provides supported housing and new opportunities for homeless and vulnerable young people in the Newmarket and Mildenhall area.
Matthew Tee, Charity Director at Newmarket Open Door, said: “We gratefully received a grant of £5,000 and we were able to offer e-vouchers to 70 people facing financial hardship to make sure they had heating, utilities and food in their homes.
“We also invested £250 into our foodbank supplies which enabled us to support a further 1,000 people with their weekly groceries.“Growing demand for our services means we are now on the lookout for a larger property to keep up with the impact that the cost-of-living crisis continues to have on people.”
Cambridgeshire Community Foundation already administers The Cambridge Building Society Community Fund, which was established in 2020 and has funds of more than £660,000. The Fund awards grants to local voluntary and community groups that deliver homes and housing projects
