The Fund For Human Need

Over 1,500 people, including almost 500 children where helped with small emergency payments thanks to The Fund for Human Need last year.

The Fund for Human need (FHN) is a small Methodist-affiliated charity established in 1960 to relieve poverty and hunger. Relief payments (up to a maximum of £120) are made, irrespective of faith, ethnic origin or social group to individuals in the UK. Priority is given to those who are destitute or have no income or benefits, to those who are particularly vulnerable and to those where a small amount of money will make a significant difference.

The people who benefitted included those who are homeless, sofa-surfing, women who have experienced domestic abuse, others waiting for universal credit or other benefits, or in the case of asylum seekers, a decision on their status.

The charity makes cash payments which means access to sources of funding often available to other charities is very limited so rely upon voluntary giving for our income and this year donations amounted to more than £99,000 which is the largest amount raised in a single year.

Revd. Roger Cressley, the Chair of Trustees, The Fund for Human Need said: "Priority is given to those who are destitute, having no income or welfare benefits at all, to those who are particularly vulnerable, and to those who a small payment will make a major difference. Payments are made to relieve personal distress. They are not made to cover debt, to pay scholarships, university or college fees, or to individuals living outside the UK or to projects run by other organisations. We are providing the means to give people what they need, when they need it."

Here are two examples of how people have been helped during the last year.

Modern slavery is a complex crime and involves multiple forms of exploitation. An individual could have been a victim of human trafficking and/or slavery, servitude and forced or compulsory labour. The Salvation Army is one of the organisations taking care of the victims. These applications were two young women, one pregnant who arrived at the shelter with nothing. They were in need of clothing and basic supplies and help to travel to see their solicitor as they endeavour to sort out their immigration issues to regularise their status. Both also needed to get to regular hospital appointments due to the mistreatment they had received. Each where awarded £100.

Specialist Support Worker, Anti-Trafficking and Modern Slavery Unit.

A mother and son were receiving section 17 support from social services, this is to support children whose parents are not entitled to any benefits. Despite his acceptance into university and entitlement to student loans all their support stopped as soon as he turned 18 in May. This left them vulnerable to eviction and without food and basics. The mother applied to regularise her status some time ago but is waiting for access to a solicitor. Currently they are reliant on friends for food. They were awarded £100.

Asylum Support Senior Caseworker, Action for Refugees in Lewisham.

Although many applications for grants each month are made personally, most a made by charities, churches and statutory services, of which there are more than 90 including the NHS. Organisations can only apply on behalf of two individuals or families per month.

If you'd like to know more about The Fund for Human Need or to donate please visit www.fundforhumanneed.org.uk or follow them on social media – search FundForHumanNeed.

The Fund For Human Need help their AGM at The House of Lords on Wednesday 20th November, hosted by Lord Boateng, Patron of the charity. The Trustees, the Vice President of the Methodist Conference, colleagues from the Methodist Connexion and from the Districts all gathered to share in the stories of support given in the last year.