Sovereign Housing Association has pledged its support for both the Trussell Trust and the More Than Homes campaign to help put food on the table for vulnerable people in the UK.
The Salisbury-based trust works with 1,200 food banks throughout the country, providing emergency food and support to people locked in poverty.
Between April 2019 and March 2020, food banks in the network provided a record 1.9m food supplies to people in crisis, an 18% increase on the previous year.
The current pandemic has seen an increase of people in need of the basics, and between 1 April and 30 September this year, 2,600 emergency food parcels were provided for children everyday by food banks in the Trussell Trust network.
Sovereign has funded the More Than Homes campaign – which aims to raise funds for Trussell Trust as it responds to the continued increase in demand – with a donation of £15k.
The campaign is led by Accent Housing with backing from the National Housing Federation, Chartered Institute of Housing, and the Northern Housing Consortium.
Mark Washer, chief executive at Sovereign, said: “Our residents are always our top priority. We know that some of society’s most vulnerable people live in our communities, and we know that projects such as this can make a real difference.
“The on-going pandemic has proved tough for many people, and we are proud to support initiatives like the More Than Homes campaign.”
Fuel poverty
Sovereign it also affirming its commitment to helping vulnerable residents by providing fuel-voucher support for families most affected by COVID-19.
The housing association has issued 188 fuel voucher top-ups totalling £9,786 since July, with further funds set aside to provide support throughout the winter months.
Last Friday (27 Nov), Sovereign highlighted the need to support in-need residents on National Fuel Poverty Awareness Day today.
Fuel poverty is viewed as an interplay of three elements:
- Cost of energy
- Household income
- Energy efficiency of the household
To help with the cost of energy, Sovereign is also urging residents to take advantage of the energy suppliers Warmer Homes Discount Scheme, where savings of £140 on the electricity bill for winter 2020 to 2021 could apply.
Sovereign also helps residents who are struggling to pay for fuel, insurance, and utilities by developing additional money support offers around affordable furniture and finance.
Andrew Cooper, head of Business Development and Fundraising, said: “We’re proud so many residents have accessed our fuel vouchers and support, and we’re committed to supporting residents in fuel poverty further.
“On national Fuel Poverty Awareness Day, we would urge anyone struggling to heat their home to access this support.”
Image: Tero Vesalainen/Shutterstock
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