Every person, regardless of who they are or their background, deserves to live with dignity. That is; to be treated as fully human, to have choice and opportunity, to be able to participate in their community and to have access to means that enable them to live well.
But soaring costs are denying families their basic human rights, as millions of people are forced to live in poor housing conditions, sacrifice medical care and choose between heating or eating.
To help raise awareness of the impact of rising costs, we are sharing stories from a range of people and communities who are facing hardship amid the cost-of-living crisis to highlight key issues, call for justice with targeted solutions to stop poverty in the UK, and demonstrate what is already being done in local communities.
St Vincent’s Family Project supports vulnerable and excluded young families in London’s Westminster. Hear from CEO Andrew Varley on how the charity is responding to the impact that the cost-of-living crisis is having on families.
Low income young families
Care workers
Over a quarter of residential care workers in the UK live in, or are on the brink of, poverty. CEO of the Marillac, a charity that provides specialist treatment for people with complex neurological conditions, shares his concern for the care sector and how they are doing all they can to help their staff through the winter. Read here >>
An empty fridge, no money in the energy meter. Carers from Vincentian Care Plus give us an insight into how poverty affects them and senior members of society.
Vulnerable elderly citizens
Out There is a charity that supports families of prisoners across Greater Manchester. The charity's CEO, Mark Turnbull, shares some of the challenges that families of prisoners face and how the cost of living crisis is impacting them.
Families of prisoners
Get involved, put a stop to poverty.
Write to your MP
Benefits currently prove inadequate in comparison to the cost of living, meaning those who already have the least are falling deeper into poverty. Help us call on the government to close the gap between the inflation reference point and uprating benefits by writing to your local MP. You can download and personalise our letter template and find out who your local MP is here.
Check in on those around you
Many people do not claim the benefits they are entitled to, either because they do not know if or how they can claim (for example, many people who need Pension Credit don’t claim), or they are hesitant to apply for benefits due to the negative attitudes surrounding welfare, which can leave people feeling ashamed. You can help change the conversation with our #NoShameToClaim campaign by reaching out to friends, family members and neighbours who might be struggling and by encouraging them to claim the funds they are eligible for. Visit the government’s website for information on cost of living support, or use Turn2Us’s benefits calculator to find out what you are entitled to.
Donate or volunteer
Your generosity helps us to continue supporting those who need us most during the cost of living crisis. To find out more about donating or volunteering at one of our projects, please visit their websites:
London:
svfp.org.ukEssex:
marillac.co.uk
Manchester:
outtherecharity.orgScotland:
thelouiseproject.org.uk