30 June 2026

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The cost-of-living crisis: How we are helping

1st December 2022

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The cost-of-living crisis is having a profound impact on people’s lives as they struggle to pay their mortgage or rent and buy food, alongside rising energy bills. We also know that low-income households are most affected.

For the voluntary sector, the cost-of-living crisis has worsened an already challenging situation, as many organisations are still recovering from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Research by the Charities Aid Foundation revealed that 82% of charity leaders are concerned about managing their bills and 35% about their ability to survive the crisis.

Charities need immediate and effective support, and we are committed to providing this, as much as we can to help organisations continue their work and support beneficiaries.

We have always recognised the importance of funding core costs to help groups deliver their services, and this is now more important than ever. As part of our immediate response, we are providing grants to help groups directly impacted by the crisis including foodbanks, warm hubs, and other cost-of-living activities with rent, utilities, volunteer and fuel expenses and salaries. We will also have a focus on supporting applications from organisations to help those most in need including foodbanks, warm hubs, and other cost-of-living activities.

To help inform our medium to long-term approach, as part of our Community Listening Project we will be contacting charities to better understand how the crisis is impacting their work, and where we need to direct our support.

Additionally, our online application form has also been updated so organisations can include information about how the crisis is affecting them.

We will share the insights from the Project as soon as it is available.

For organisations needing support, please contact us in one of the following ways:

Additional support available in Essex:

Read the Cost of Living Support resource pack for Essex organisations from Active Essex and Essex County Council.

Helping people to manage  

28th July 2022

A local charity is giving residents in Waltham Abbey advice on money management and is helping them to tackle anxieties about how they will make ends meet as the cost-of-living crisis worsens.

The demand for financial advice and the impact money worries has on people’s mental well-being is rising rapidly, causing Citizens Advice to issue a red alert warning for crisis support.

Citizens Advice Epping Forest District tells us that 46% of people with debt have a mental health problem.

To help tackle this issue locally, they launched a financial and mental health well-being programme. Following its success, they have received a grant of £10,000 from Essex Community Foundation (ECF) to extend the pilot into a 12-month project.

The project aims to tackle the clear links between poor financial well-being and poor mental health by providing a community hub service that delivers financial advice, mental health support and help to access employment opportunities. This well-rounded approach means people who are struggling to cope are supported holistically and have solutions that will provide lasting change.

Jo O’Boyle, CEO of CA Epping Forest District said, “Everyone understands that the cost-of-living has increased, with electricity bills and petrol prices soaring, and with some bills predicted to rise even more in October, we recognised that intensive support was needed locally.

“People are coming to us worried about how they will make their budgets, which in most cases are already tight, even tighter. Some people are at the point where their income does not meet essential costs, let alone covering payments to reduce debt if they have any.

“Financial difficulties are a common cause of stress, and we are determined to help people feel more confident when it comes to money, support them to find job opportunities, and ultimately improve their mental health.”

For free, confidential, and impartial advice, contact Citizens Advice Epping Forest District from Tuesday to Thursday from 9:30am to 2:30pm on 0808 278 7855.

Andy Payne Worpole, Head of Programmes at ECF, said: “It is important to us that our grantmaking responds to emerging needs of our communities, so when Citizens Advice came to us for funding, we were pleased we could help.

“Their project teaches people money skills, and in turn boosts their mental health as they start to feel more in control.

“It is a worrying time for people financially and local charities like the Citizens Advice are a vital source of information and advice.”

Charities and community groups working in Essex can apply to ECF for funding. Click here to apply for support or call the ECF grants team on 01245 355947.