Imagine living without your cooker and fridge
Having a working cooker and fridge is something that can easily be taken for granted. But for people in financial crisis, hardship or those living in poverty, access to basic kitchen appliances can mean the difference between eating a nutritious meal or relying on whatever is easiest, cheapest, or possible with limited resources.
When someone loses their income or falls through gaps in the system, everyday essentials like fresh food, cooking facilities, and financial security can quickly disappear. There are around 112,000 people in County Durham that are reliant on support to access healthy, nutritious food.
To make sure no one has to face poverty and hardship alone, Point North distributes the Household Support Fund to local charities supporting people and families in our region.
The Household Support Fund, provided by the Department of Work and Pensions, is a discretionary fund designed to help vulnerable households with essential costs.
It’s administered by local authorities, in our case Durham County Council and its aim is to provide immediate relief for people who are struggling to afford energy and water bills, food, and other necessities.
A real story: living without the basics
A vulnerable individual was referred to County Durham’s Money Matters service after their housing benefit was stopped, leaving them in financial freefall. With no income to cover basic living costs, their situation quickly became dire.
During the time they spent with the advice team, the client shared that they had no cooker or fridge freezer, meaning every meal had to be made using a microwave. Without refrigeration, they were forced to use dried milk in the summer because they couldn’t store fresh food safely. This not only limited their diet but also made everyday life harder and more expensive, as they couldn’t buy food in bulk or store leftovers.
The absence of these essential items was a huge barrier to their stability, health and wellbeing.
Through the Household Support Fund, Point North was able to provide urgent funds to Money Matters, so that this client could regain independence in their daily life.
With the fund’s support, they were able to buy a cooker, to prepare hot, nutritious meals instead of relying solely on a microwave. And a fridge freezer, to store fresh food, buy in bulk, and reduce food waste.
Additionally, the welfare advice team at Money Matters worked with them to reinstate their housing benefit, bringing relief and stability.
It’s more than just a fridge
When someone is experiencing poverty, they often face multiple barriers at once. Poverty creates a ripple effect, impacting every aspect of daily life, from financial hardship to food insecurity, housing instability to physical and mental health challenges.
There’s no one-size-fits-all solution, which is why local organisations need both funding and the flexibility to respond to individual needs in the most effective way.
At Point North, every pound we raise and distribute is dedicated to fighting poverty and enriching lives, however that support is needed.