The Cost of Living crisis has affected communities across the country, with people worried about how it will impact them at home and their families.

Latest data by the Office for National Statistics show:

  • The prices of food and non-alcoholic beverages continue to rise sharply, but have begun to ease in the year to May 2023.
  • Half (48%) of adults in Great Britain said they were buying less food when shopping in the past two weeks.
  • 60% of adults said their cost of living had risen in the previous month due to rising food costs, which was reported as the most common reason

 

Helping communities with the Cost of Living

South Yorkshire's Community Foundation has worked with Sheffield City Council to alleviate the impact of the crisis on communities, with a Cost of Living grants programme.

The city’s council is committing £850,000 to the Sheffield Cost Of Living Grant over three years through the Shared Prosperity Fund.

The funds, up to £5,000, will be specifically for community groups working with and in these communities to help them delivery community-led projects tackling inequality in the City. There is funding available for Welcome Spaces in Sheffield to apply for upto £5,000 to help towards keeping the venue open.

Please visit the grants page for more details.

 

Sheffield Cost Of Living Grants

In May 2022, Sheffield City Council gave £20,000, specifically for the city, resulting in a vast number of community groups applying, showing the urgent need to help communities. This was supported by £5,000 donated by people giving their £150 Council Tax rebate.

Helping communities with the Cost Of Living

Over recent years, South Yorkshire Community Foundation has been partnership working to tackle this crisis swiftly and efficiently, whilst witnessing the generosity of local people and businesses donating to our on-going Fund.

Local leaders launch South Yorkshire Cost Of Living Fund

South Yorkshire’s Mayor Oliver Coppard and the Chief Executive of South Yorkshire’s Community Foundation (SYCF), Ruth Willis have launched a fund to support the region through the cost of living crisis.

Disadvantage and Inequity

South Yorkshire

South Yorkshire Cost of Living Fund

A national survey reveals the worrying picture for the country in relation to the Cost of Living crisis, which has affected communities with people worried about how it will impact them at home and their families.

Disadvantage and Inequity

South Yorkshire

South Yorkshire Cost Of Living Fund

People who were in a position to help others came forward to donat money to our Cost Of Living Fund, whether it was giving their energy bill rebates or simply make a large or small contribution. The fund, hosted on JustGiving, reached over £72,000 and has been used to deliver community grants relating to Cost of Living across South Yorkshire.

SYCF are looking at this Fund as a long term source of funding for community groups.

If you would like to donate to help communities with the Cost of Living in South Yorkshire, you can do so below.

South Yorkshire Cost of Living Fund on Just Giving

Further support

The Deakin and Withers Fund can provide financial assistance to women aged over 40, are active members of a Church and facing difficulty and hardship. Payments of upto £880 can be made to help with utility and household bills.

The Deakin and Withers Fund

Information and advice

If you or someone you know is struggling with the rising Cost of Living crisis in South Yorkshire, please contact organisations below:

Barnsley

  • The Council’s website has a range of information and advice including support for people around housing, utility bills and food
  • Citizens Advice Barnsley have a guide that explains the options available relating to grants, benefits support, budget advice. You can speak to a member of their team for further support.
  • Rotherham and Barnsley Mind can provide mental health support during these challenging times – for people in Barnsley, you can contact 01226 211188

Doncaster

  • Doncaster City Council’s Household Support Fund, that was available for applications for a one-off £200 payment for utility has closed, however keep in touch with their website for details of the scheme beginning in October 2022.
  • As well as the aforementioned guide for the cost of living crisis, Citizens Advice Doncaster have an array of branches and outreach sessions across the city for people to speak to a member of their team.
  • Doncaster Mind can be contacted on 01302 812190 or complete the referral form if you need mental health support

Rotherham

  • Rotherham Council's Money Matters website provides information across a range of cost of living issues.
  • Rotherham and Barnsley Mind can provide mental health support during these challenging times – for people in Rotherham, you can contact 01709 919929
  • Citizens Advice Rotherham can provide a telephone or virtual support service to discuss your areas of concern including debt advice, utility and benefits

Sheffield

  • Please call Sheffield City Council on 0114 273 4567 for advice on hardship grants and support schemes.
  • Visit their website that includes a wide-range of services and information relating to the Cost of Living
  • Sheffield Money Support can help identify income streams if you are struggling with your finances alongside other community services.

Contact Us

If you would like to discuss anything around Cost of Living, whether you want to to find out how you can donate as an individual or business, or about grant funding, then please get in touch with Michelle, Head of Philanthropy 

Meet Michelle

Michelle supports our Strategic Plan through philanthropy. This includes the development of long-term strategic relationships to secure and distribute income against agreed targets. She is also responsible for of our Fund Development Strategy and SYCF's Grant Strategy.
Her working days are Monday to Friday.

Michelle Dickinson

Head of Philanthropy and Programmes

0114 261 5144

mdickinson@sycf.org.uk

Michelle Dickinson