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VRF - Emergency Fund Launched!

VRF - Emergency Fund Launched!

VRF - Emergency Fund Launched!

Tuesday, April 7, 2020

   

St Martin-in-the-Fields Charity is pleased to announce the launch of the VRF - Emergency Fund.
 
Apply to the VRF - Emergency Fund Today

This fund offers vital support to people experiencing homelessness, or whose accommodation may be at risk, in the following areas:

  • £150 for Basic Essential Needs:

    We are setting a recommended figure of £150 for people experiencing homelessness to access essential items and basic needs.

    This grant can be requested to help access food and hygiene packages, as well as utility costs and other essential items.

     

  • £400 for Overcoming Barriers to Support:

    We are setting a recommended figure of £400 for people experiencing homelessness to have their support needs met during this outbreak.

    Individuals can use this grant to access the resources necessary to stay in touch with their frontline workers during the self-isolation period.

     

  • £1000 for Securing Accommodation:

    We are setting a recommended figure of £1000 to help people to access accommodation, so they can safely self-isolate during this outbreak.

To ensure the Emergency Fund is as effective as possible, we are maintaining a flexible funding approach. As the situation evolves, we will reflect on how we can best offer support through this fund.


Where the Emergency Fund Came From
 
During this outbreak, we have heard from hundreds of frontline workers whose services have been affected by the outbreak.

As people go into isolation, an increased number of face-to-face services are closing due to public health concerns.
 
The impact for those experiencing homelessness who usually receive support through these services is huge.

To ensure the VRF – Emergency Fund responds to immediate and evolving needs, we developed an 'Emergency Fund Survey'.

This survey has been responded to by over 950 frontline workers in two weeks. We would like to extend our sincere thanks for offering your time and expertise to inform how our fund is designed.

 
Key areas where Frontline Workers have asked for support
 

  • Help to access accommodation to self-isolate

     

  • Help to access food and basic essential items

     

  • Help to provide mobile phones/digital resources/internet access

     

  • Help to source personal protective equipment

     

From our survey's feedback, frontline workers initially requested urgent financial support to access food supplies and other basic essential items for the people they support.

However, many have now stated that the people they support have no access to phones, digital resources, or the internet. The concern is that many have now lost all forms of contact with their key worker.
 
We have also seen a significant rise in the number of frontline workers requesting personal protective equipment, as well as hygiene products for the people they support.

Emergency Fund Survey
 
As the situation evolves, we want to know what is (and isn’t) working for the people you support.

Help us identify the best ways to support frontline work during this outbreak, by completing our Emergency Fund survey.

Keep Telling Us Your Views!

We would like to know what emerging areas you believe require immediate additional funding, to support your work on the frontline.

We appreciate how busy you are, which is why it is so important to gather your ideas and expertise, to help inform how we design the ‘VRF - Emergency Fund’.
 
Please note this survey will remain open throughout the crisis. 

News and Views

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