Camden comes together to fight back against the cost-of-living crisis
The Leader of Camden Council, Councillor Georgia Gould, has written to residents asking them to join the fight against the cost-of-living crisis and help those who need it most.
The letter, which was sent to households in the two highest council tax bands, outlines the ways residents can help those who are struggling with rising living costs.
If they can, residents are being asked to donate to either the Young Camden Foundation or Camden Giving, who are two local charities supporting communities to cope with rising living costs, to volunteer, or come up with initiatives which will help benefit local communities.
Residents are also signposted to donate toys, toiletries or gifts to the Mayor of Camden’s Christmas Toy Appeal, as well as to the Camden New Journal’s Seasonal Hamper Appeal which every year delivers hundreds of hampers to residents who may be struggling financially.
This follows Camden Council stepping in to help residents least able to manage everyday costs with the launch of a £2million Cost of Living Crisis Fund, which is part of a package of support for those in extreme financial hardship.
We know this is an extremely difficult time for many of our residents, and we’re really concerned about the impact rising living costs will have on our communities. Already too many Camden residents are facing impossible choices about how to pay for life’s essentials, such as heating, food and paying rent.
We have also heard from residents who want to help out and support their neighbours. So as a Council and as a community we will step up where the Government is not. Through the pandemic, we saw communities come together and support each other and I know we will do this once again. We will keep pushing for national action including extending provision of healthy free school meals, increasing the minimum wage to a living wage and scrapping the unfair benefit cap - but in the meantime we will do all we can to help people left without support.
If you can help, please donate what you can to Camden Giving or the Young Camden Foundation who are doing vital work to help those who are struggling. If you are not able to donate, there are also volunteering opportunities and other ways to get involved. I want to thank every person and organisation who is helping us respond to this crisis – together we can help those most in need.
Residents are already asking how they can support those who are struggling with the cost of living. Here are some ways you can help:
Donate
Residents can donate to two local charities - The Young Camden Foundation and Camden Giving.
The Young Camden Foundation works with over 100 Camden-based charities that offer vital services and support to children and young people. This winter, they will be tackling holiday hunger by providing meals and distributing supermarket vouchers to children who receive free school meals to ensure no child goes hungry and funding much valued youth activities. To help support the work of the Young Camden Foundation donate, please visit localgiving.org/charity/youngcamdenfoundation/
Donating to Camden Giving’s Cost of Living Appeal will help fund local organisations supporting families through the cost of living crisis. Donations will help community organisations to provide soup kitchens, support people experiencing poverty or go towards running a night shelter for people experiencing homelessness. Find out more and donate at Cost Of Living Appeal — Camden Giving
Residents can also help local families who may be struggling financially this Christmas with donations to the Mayor of Camden’s appeal – find out more at camden.gov.uk/toy-appeal.
You can also donate to the CNJ's seasonal Hamper Appeal via camdennewjournal.co.uk.
Donate food and other essential items
With increased demand for foodbanks, donations from the public are more important than ever. If you can provide non-perishable groceries such as cereal, soups, pasta, tinned foods, long life milk and more, please help by giving directly to your local foodbank or by leaving in your supermarket’s collection point. Find out more about how to donate and what to donate.
Local charity Little Village are also looking for donations for families with young children, including nappies, toiletries, clothes, books and toys, beddings, and buggies. If you are able to donate, please head to littlevillagehq.org/donate-stuff/ to find out more.
Volunteer
Many organisation across Camden are looking for volunteers to help deliver vital services to those who need it. You can find out more by visiting, volunteercentrecamden.org.uk or calling 020 7424 9990.
Apply for funding from the We Make Camden Kit
Residents can also apply for funding and support to create initiatives that would help benefit local communities from the We Make Camden Kit which is run in collaboration with Camden Council and Camden Giving. Find out more at camdengiving.org.uk/we-make-camden-kit.
How you can access support
If you are struggling to afford the essentials, – including food, energy bills or housing costs - or if you’re in debt, help and support is available. Together with our partners and voluntary sector organisations, we’re stepping in to provide a package of much-needed support – including a cost-of-living crisis fund for those who are in extreme financial hardship.
Find advice at camden.gov.uk/costofliving, call us on 020 7974 4444 (option 9), you can also call Citizens Advice Camden on 0800 278 7835 or contact one of the organisations in Camden Advice Network at camden.gov.uk/CAN.