WHAT
Swindon Hardship Fund is a response to poverty in our town. We make small cash grants, when needed within a few days, through trusted organisations- Local partner organisations, who are engaged in supporting the destitute and people struggling to meet the basic needs of living.
HOW
Funding comes from donations made by caring Swindon residents combined with donations from charitable trusts and donors outside of Swindon. We are entirely run by volunteers and we ensure that our overheads are kept to an absolute minimum. We do not maintain staff or a premises, so that we can direct as much support as possible to individuals experiencing severe financial hardship in our town.
We do not accept applications directly from individuals, but through trusted partner organisations. We have adopted this process because we recognise that the little relief we might be able to provide will make the biggest difference to individuals, where it is hand-in-hand with valuable advice and support addressing wider needs and cultivating longer-term solutions.
WHY
The reality is that many people in our society are at risk of falling into financial hardship, triggered by one or two commonplace life events such as redundancy or relationship breakdown.
Even for many people in work, wages may not be enough to meet the basic needs of living, resulting in cycles of debt and insecurity, affecting relationships and mental health.
There is a significant need not being met to assist individuals experiencing financial hardship in our town. Click here for more facts and figures about this need in Swindon.
There are shortfalls in state support and even for many people in-work, wages may not be enough to meet the basic needs of living, resulting in cycles of debt and insecurity, affecting relationships and mental health. Examples of where our small grants have made a difference include:
- Helping with moving costs for someone moving from a hostel into more settled conditions;
- Helping a parent buy shoes for their child, which they could not otherwise afford to do;
- Helping single-parent families, who have fled domestic violence, set up their new lives by supporting with the cost of floorcoverings or white goods.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
If you feel able to contribute, or your organisation, or faith group, sports or social group may be able to support, Swindon Hardship Fund depends on donations and we are grateful for your help. Your donation will make a difference to a person or a family going through a particularly difficult period in their lives. If you opt to make a regular standing-order, you can choose to become a member and attend an annual general meeting.
We are also interested in hearing from people who would like to volunteer to fundraise for SHF and also expressions of interest from potential Trustees.
swindonhardshipfund[at]gmail.com