With the cost of living rising, and an unprecedented rise in energy bills, individuals and families across the country are struggling to keep up with their living costs. Whether you have time on your hands, or you have a little extra cash you can spare, you can help. If you’re wanting to support communities in the North East, here are a few charities which are keeping people above the breadline..
Children North East work to poverty proof school settings in and around the North East. According to their website, around 9 students in a standard class size are living in poverty, and they expect this to grow due to the cost of living crisis. Children North East conduct consultations with students, parents, staff and governors to understand the barriers that poverty has on their community. They then create a Poverty Proofing audit in order to help reduce the impact on students.
You can donate to Children North East on their website, or you can volunteer with the charity as a Youth Peer Mentor, Family Support Mentor, or if you’re a student counsellor there are also placements available.
Cedarwood Trust is located in Meadow Well, North Shields. They run a Community Membership Store, which serves as a bridge between supermarkets and food banks to help those on low incomes reduce their food costs. Individuals can join the Cedarwood Trust and pay £4 to receive at least £15 worth of shopping, which includes fresh fruit and veg, chilled and frozen food, as well as toiletries and cleaning goods.
You can donate to Cedarwood Trust on their website, and they post on the News section of their website when they are in need of volunteers.
The Trussell Trust is an organisation in the UK which helps support a network of food banks throughout the country. The organisation aids food banks and charities collect donations and sort and store the donations. The trust works alongside professionals to identify people in crisis and give them a food bank voucher to access emergency food. They also work to support those locked in poverty, and campaign for change to end the need for food banks in the UK.
You can support the Trussell Trust by donating on their website, or you can check their volunteering opportunities to donate your time as a food bank centre helper or a food bank driver.
Support and Grow North East is a charity which works to get food and clothing, as well as other resources to families who are living in poverty. This can include preloved school uniforms, toys and clothes, as well as crisis food and support. They also work within communities to help bring groups together at organised events, including different faith groups and races, those with disabilities, young families, older members of the community, as well as queer and trans folk.
You can help Support and Grow North East by donating on their website. All donations go directly into the community.
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