Hundreds of people across Nottingham will be given vital support after two charities received a share of £20,000 through the Robin Hood Fund. The last 12 months has seen an increase in people struggling to make ends meet, amid the rising cost of living and soaring energy bills.
The fund, supported by Nottinghamshire Live, along with the Nottingham Project is in place to ensure grassroots organisations receive the help they need to keep functioning. The campaign has raised more than £20,000.
The St Ann's Advice Centre, which provides support and advice on issues including employment, debt and benefits, has received £10,000 from the fund. This money will go towards providing clients with food vouchers. Rachel Graham, community engagement worker at the centre, said: “For our clients, extra help, especially after Christmas, a time we know will still be cold and people will be struggling, will help many of our service users.
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“The impact of the Royal Mail strikes has meant some people haven’t received their £66 voucher, which is detrimental. The Robin Hood Fund couldn’t have come at a better time, there have been people choosing between whether to heat or eat and fuel or food.”
The St Ann’s Advice Centre this year has been offering tips on cooking on a budget and also has a food bank which has been described as a “lifeline.”
Rachel added: “We’ve had hundreds of clients, particularly in the last 3 months, there have been times we’ve had to review our intake of clients and say we’re not taking anymore and we’ve referred people to other advice agencies.
“We’ve given out fuel vouchers on Tuesdays and Thursdays and there've been a lot of people who we’ve never seen before.”
Hope Beeston, one of the city’s biggest food banks, has previously spoken about how “the worst is yet to come.” Nigel Adams, founder and ambassador of the charity has seen an increase in people using food banks and the anxiety felt around the cost of living.
After receiving £10,000 in funding, Nigel said: “We are delighted and extremely grateful for the wonderful support from the Robin Hood Fund, especially at a time when the need is greater and the costs of providing support are higher than ever. We especially want to thank the good people of Nottinghamshire whose generosity is astounding.”
Editor for the Nottingham Post, Natalie Fahy, said: “After what has been a worrying year for many due to the cost of living, our charities have worked tirelessly to support those they can. The work that our advice centres, food banks and other charities do in the city is something that should not go unnoticed. I am very happy that Hope Beeston and the St Ann’s Advice Centre have received £10,000 from the Robin Hood Fund. The money will without a doubt help people this Christmas and the start of the New Year.”
Labour MP for Nottingham East, Nadia Whittome, added: “St Ann’s Advice Centre has been the backbone of our community for many years, providing invaluable support to those in financial difficulty. As bills and prices soar, it is becoming people’s last line of defence against destitution.
“I want to thank everyone who has donated to the Robin Hood Fund, even as you feel the impact of the cost-of-living crisis on your own incomes. You have proven once again that when the state lets our community down, the people of Nottingham step up .”
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