Grants and loans help charities keep practical support going

At Framework, people who have experienced homelessness learn to use donated phones and laptops to apply for housing, manage bills and contact a GP. The devices come with support to get online.

That is one example of work backed by Charity Bank’s Cost of Living Fund. A review announced on 29 September looks back at £2.5 million supplied to 26 organisations in England, combining grants with loans.

The fund’s survey drew responses from 19 organisations. All reported benefits for people facing financial pressure, while nearly two-thirds reported greater financial resilience.

These are the recipients’ own assessments, collected by the lender, without independent checks. The report covers earlier funding; it does not show a new drop in poverty.

Framework’s earlier account explains how the support works: alongside practical training, participants can become volunteer Digital Champions and help others learn.

For someone rebuilding daily routines, gaining the confidence to make an appointment or get in touch with family is a useful step towards independence.

Sources

• Charity Bank — the Cost of Living Fund review announcement
• Charity Bank — Cost of Living Fund evaluation and methods
• Framework — how the Digital Inclusion Project works