Somerset Community Foundation (SCF) has raised an incredible £500,000 for vital local charities supporting communities affected by the cost-of-living crisis.

In the four months since Somerset Community Foundation first launched their Somerset Cost-of-Living Crisis Appeal, thanks to the incredible support of local donors, family trusts, businesses, district councils and the county council, more than £500,000 has been raised for Somerset.

With household essentials like food and energy bills rocketing, thousands of Somerset households are already starting to feel the pinch as, overall, the cost of housing and household services rose 11.7% in the 12 months to October 2022

Somerset Community Foundation has raised over £500,000 to support local charities and community groups that are helping people in need through the cost-of-living crisis.

The Somerset Cost-of-Living Fund, supported by the funds raised by the Somerset Cost-of-Living Crisis Appeal, has now been launched to help community groups and local charities that are experiencing financial challenges. Grants (money that does not need to be paid back) from £1,000 to £10,000 are now available to help reduce the additional financial impacts of the cost-of-living crisis.

Laura Blake, Philanthropy Director at SCF explains: "We are extremely concerned about people on very low incomes, and donations from the Appeal will support crucial local charities such as debt advice services, food banks, mental health support and support for those experiencing homelessness."

Examples of what the Somerset Cost-of-Living Fund will support, includes:

• helping local charities and groups meet rising demand for their services from people experiencing poverty
• covering increased running costs incurred by groups caused by inflation, like heating a building or providing community transport
• subsidising the services that groups or charities might usually charge for, in order to remove barriers to people who are struggling to afford or access them.

Groups can apply to the Somerset Cost-of-Living Fund for a grant from now until Wednesday 21 December.

Laura continues: "Our local charities will be vital in helping people in the coming months, but they themselves are facing a triple threat of increased demand, soaring costs and fewer donations from the public.

"We know that people in our communities on lower incomes will be hit harder by this cost-of-living crisis. Our small, local charities are vital to Somerset's social fabric and we'll need them more than ever to help tackle this disadvantage and keep our communities strong through these toughest of times."

To donate to the Somerset Cost-of-Living Crisis Appeal visit www.somersetcf.org.uk/costofliving or, if that isn't possible, call 01749 344949. Groups based in Somerset wishing to apply for a grant should visit Somerset Community Foundation's website, here or call 01749 344949 before Wednesday 21 December.

Somerset Community Foundation is a charity that helps passionate people in Somerset change the world on their doorstep by funding local charities and inspiring local giving and philanthropy. They aim to build stronger communities in Somerset where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. They provide rewarding and impactful ways for donors to give through them, to the causes and places they care about most. Together, they fund amazing organisations and the passionate people that change lives every day.

Since SCF were founded in 2002 they've awarded over £20 million in funding, changing thousands of lives across Somerset.