REACH Community Projects in Haverhill smashes its record total for financial support for clients

Haverhill-based REACH Community Projects has achieved record-breaking financial gains for its clients as it continues to help people in hardship.

The record-breaking figure of £502,975 covers the period between October 2023 and March.

The amount is made up of emergency aid, utility support, benefits entitlements – including Child Benefit - debt relief and money from the Household Support Fund, which is due to end in September.

The charity’s CEO, Henry Wilson, said: “I cannot describe how extremely pleased I am with our dedicated team of staff and volunteers for having achieved this simply incredible result and my thanks goes out to them as well as to our superb donors and benefactors who make this possible.

“It’s more pounds in pockets and means people don’t have to rely on the foodbank.”

REACH supports those in financial crisis, in the Haverhill and surrounding villages of Suffolk, Essex and Cambridgeshire, often starting with emergency aid from various funds to deal with the immediate situation and then working through a programme of debt relief and to claim benefit entitlements which, often through the complexities of the system, have eluded those in need.

Henry continued: “Of course, the joy at being able to deliver this record amount is tempered somewhat by the fact that it is necessary in the first place and that the need is growing.

“This half-million pound figure is almost £100,000 up on our last set of data for a similar period and it saddens me greatly that this is a rising barometer of the amount of distress and destitution within what should be a modern caring society.”

Henry Wilson later spoke of his deep concern at recent media reports suggesting that the bar is going to be significantly raised for genuine benefit claimants and that the successful Work and Health Programme will end in the autumn.

He said: “While some of our clients are not in work, many are.

“But even they still find making ends meet, in this world of rising prices and high rents, very difficult indeed.

“REACH is there to lend a helping hand to get through individual and family financial crises, but our job will be made harder if statutory institutional support is reduced or removed.”

REACH is keen to point out that the £500,000 gain (which is an annualised amount) does not mean pots of money in the bank but has real life practical significance for those who are hard pressed.

Henry added: “Behind this record amount of success are so many true and moving stories and its difficult to recite them all but one I recall is of an elderly gentleman who came to us requesting some help to apply for single person discount on his council tax.

“He was a roofer but had to stop working when he needed a hip replacement and was now struggling on his minimal pension.

“When we met with him in his tiny supported-living flat, we quickly found out that he was in danger of losing his home because he just couldn’t keep up with his rent.

“After a few questions, we pointed out a different reduction to apply for, and from that he was granted a full exemption instead, saving him £175 per month, and ensuring that his rent is covered. He is incredibly relieved that his home is now safe. “