As we enter a New Year, please help the team at Suffolk Community Foundation spread the word about two important initiatives...

There is another avenue for Emergency support available for individuals and groups in Suffolk through the Suffolk Community Foundation. 

These are challenging times for us all, but if we continue to work effectively as #TeamSuffolk we will continue to provide effective support for those who most need it, and lift our own spirits at the same time.

In our first newsletter of the year, we want to let you know about two very important initiatives that are available to provide financial support to individuals and groups through this third lockdown period. Through your connections, we would like you to help us spread the word that help is available NOW to those who need it. 

Direct support that we provide now will have a positive effect on Suffolk's ability to recover more quickly and completely from the challenges that are currently affecting us all. Thank you.

Surviving Winter Appeal

Thanks to the incredible generosity of our donors and supporters we have so far raised a record £270,000 for this year’s Surviving Winter Appeal. As the temperature continues to plummet and with the need to stay safely locked down at home, supporting a individual's mental and psychical wellbeing is more important that ever. Already this winter, we have helped heat almost 500 homes, and provide additional advice to help people stay warm stay well and connected. However, it is so important that we reach many more vulnerable people in need as quickly as possible.

Please help us to tell people that help is available for them and support them to come forward to receive it. Speak to your neighbors, your existing networks, engage on social media, share this newsletter and help us to encourage people of all ages to come forward for the help we have available.

Those who are eligible for support will receive a contribution towards their gas/electric or oil heating costs. The process to access support is simple and quick, with eligibility based on the household or individuals circumstances, including:

  • Income and savings
  • Debt or arrears on an energy bill
  • Disabilities and long-term health conditions

Those families who are eligible for free school meals are also likely to meet the criteria.

This programme is administered centrally for Suffolk by Ipswich’s Citizens Advice Bureau who should be contacted directly on 01473 219770. In addition to support with home heating, almost a third of applicants this year are also receiving additional support from Citizens Advice as result of their call.

Find out more about the Surviving Winter Appeal

Reviving Our Communities Fund

£500K AVAILABLE NOW to Suffolk charities, community groups and social enterprises. Grants available between £1k and £5K.

In addition to our established voluntary sector partners, many new groups and local initiatives have sprung up in response to local need. Whilst we have already funded many, we know that there are still more that may not know that they are able to access financial help right now.

In partnership with The National Lottery, grants are available from the Reviving Our Communities Fund to support local charities and groups with an annual income of £250K or less, addressing needs throughout Suffolk. 

Again, please share and spread the word to every corner of Suffolk that this support is available. 

Find out more or apply for a grant here.

If you are speaking to people who are coming across the Foundation for the first time, it may be useful for them to understand the incredible impact our collaborative partnerships are already delivering in Suffolk. We hope that our Annual Review, something to watch, and our Annual Report, something to read, will convince you of the actual and the possible.

We also include a very important link to a University of Suffolk ‘Hidden Needs’ Report commissioned by SCF and published in November 2020. This report sheds valuable light on deprivation across the county, highlighting issues which we need to address together if we are to provide sustainable solutions to Rebuilding Local Lives in our County

Read our Annual Report

Watch our Annual Review on catch up