Help us strengthen the safety net for families in crisis

An unexpected crisis can happen to anyone: job loss, relationship breakdown, long-term poverty, or an unexpected expense such as a broken boiler. 

We all want to feel that, if a crisis hits, we will get the support we need to keep going. This support provides a safety net when the worst happens. It could be assistance from friends, family or emergency help from local councils.

Throughout Lent, St Andrew's is building our own paperchain net - with each link representing a £1 donation to The Children's Society's Strengthening the Safety Net campaign.

Council safety net at risk

Cambridgeshire County Council still provides local welfare assistance (LWA) to help vulnerable people, but with only one way to apply for support, it's difficult for people in crisis to get the help they desperately need:

• Between 2015/16 and 2017/18, the amount Cambridgeshire County Council spent on LWA fell by -5%, from £306,000 to £292,000.
• This vital safety net is at risk - emergency funds are being cut, leaving families in crisis feeling that they have nowhere to turn
• People are increasingly turning to foodbanks and other forms of voluntary support to keep them going - but these services simply can’t keep up with the demand

Act now to help families in crisis

• Join The Children's Society's Strengthening the Safety Net campaign - visit their website to find out more and how you can get in touch with your councillors to demand better support for families in financial crisis
• Support the Lent 'Safety Net' campaign running at St Andrew's - every £1 'buys' a link in our paperchain net on display in the church, with all donations going to TCS