How we help with food & financial hardship
As the cost of living crisis has deepened, the most vulnerable in society have been increasingly left behind. 4.3 million children live in families that are close to or in poverty. For a million of these, covering basic living needs – food, shelter and adequate clothing – is actually impossible. People are destitute.
Many are working parents, with single parents, families with multiple children and families from black and minority ethnic groups being hardest hit. Statistically, you are more likely to be in poverty if your youngest child is under 4 years old.
At Family Action, we believe everyone deserves dignity, respect and an equal chance at life. We work in partnership with companies and communities to help families put food on the table and support people in the face of an ongoing cost of living crisis.
FOOD Clubs
Our FOOD clubs (Food On Our Doorstep) are different from Food Banks on purpose. At our many clubs across England and Wales we aim to make sure that every one of our over 3000 members has a private appointment to pick up their bags, invite people from all walks of life into the clubs and put an emphasis on community events – family, food and fun. FOOD clubs are very responsive to local need, and many of our clubs have also distributed essential supplies and even appliances for cooking at times, in partnership with local and national businesses.
Financial support
Family Action grants help people in all sorts of ways: from funds that enable single parents to return to or take up training or study, to grants that help people get back on their feet after fleeing domestic abuse. Our frontline staff and volunteers, including on FamilyLine identify people they’re supporting who would benefit from additional support.
Our Christmas Toy Appeal is a special kind of grant giving – taking the form of presents for children and young people who would otherwise receive nothing or very little on Christmas Day. This takes the pressure off families in the run-up and helps keep the magic of Christmas alive.
Barclays LifeSkills
Barclays LifeSkills has led the way as the UK’s largest employability programme, with the aim of helping to tackle youth unemployment and inspiring and helping millions of young people to transition from education to work. For ten years LifeSkills has been giving millions of people the core, transferable skills, knowledge, confidence and connections they need to get into or progress in work.
Support our work in food & financial hardship
If, like us, you believe that everyone deserves to be treated with dignity and respect, please help us support people going through the hardest of times. Donate, volunteer, partner with us as an organisation or commission our services, you will be helping us to make a difference to families.
Donate
Donations help us continue to give practical, emotional and financial support where needed.Volunteer
Support people living with food insecurity by volunteering at one of our FOOD clubs, or give your time in one of a variety of other roles.Partner with us
We create bespoke partnerships that meet company objectives while helping families shape, or reshape their futures for themselves.Commission us
If you would like to discuss how we might be able to support you with delivering a service, please get in touch.
It helps a lot with my shopping bills. Every little bit helps! I try to be economical with my shopping and this helps me to save money, especially when I have three children. I would recommend it to anyone, and I have recommended it to all my friends.
Our food programmes and financial support services
Find a local FOOD Club, holiday club or take a look at our grant programmes using the search below.
Find a local service
Call, text, email or web chat FamilyLine
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, worried or upset about any aspect of your family life, FamilyLine is here for you. We offer free emotional support and guidance on family relationships, conflict, parenting, caring, financial worries and more.
Contact FamilyLine