Our Surviving Winter campaign is now into its fourth year and continues to help many vulnerable people across Leicestershire & Rutland.
This year all donations to the Surviving Winter Campaign will be split between Leicester Charity Link and Age UK Leicestershire and Rutland.
Here are just a few stories of those helped by your donations through Age UK Leicestershire and Rutland:
Johnny’s story
Johnny was admitted to hospital because he was malnourished and had other health problems. Jonny had no income before he went to hospital and had been literally starving. The only friend he had didn’t live locally, but luckily had noticed Johnny was ill and raised the alarm with social services.
After discharge from hospital Johnny went back home, but the problems remained. Through the work of Age UK Johnny was supported with an urgent referral to the Pension Service. A home visit was carried out and he was helped to complete an Employment and Support Allowance application.
Although Johnny had applied for benefits, he had no bank account and the benefits took a long time to come through. Age UK helped him to open a bank account and access some cash while he was waiting for his benefits to come through. Supermarket vouchers in the interim period helped Jonny to get enough to eat.
Sue’s story
When a mistake was made calculating Sue’s benefits, Age UK was contacted and immediately provided cash for food and heating. They also helped Sue to get food vouchers so she was able to eat.
The Smiths’ story
The Smiths contacted Age UK when they had no money for food or electricity. Both Mr and Mrs Smith were receiving Jobseekers Allowance but as soon as this money went into their bank accounts the bank used it to pay off direct debits. They already had debts with their gas supplier so they were only able to use electricity. Mr and Mrs Smith had applied for a crisis loan but it was turned down. Their family had been able to help a bit but they were still unable to pay for food and heating.
Social Services helped them to apply for a grant and Age UK provided the Smiths with a food parcel and cash for electricity. Age UK also provided them the bus fare so they could attend a meeting about their grant application in town.
Note names have been changed.
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For 2013/2014 the Surviving Winter campaign has partnered with Leicester Charity Link and Age UK Leicestershire & Rutland to ensure as many vulnerable people as possible are reached during this difficult time. Together we can make a difference and ensure everybody in our community can eat and stay warm during this cold winter.
To find out more about our Surviving Winter campaign please contact the Community Foundation on 0116 2624 916.
