Pounds in Pockets 

At REACH we regularly come across people who just don't know what is available for them, and assume that they don’t qualify for any additional support.

So this week we've launched a very important awareness campaign, to encourage people who are struggling to take just 15 minutes to find out what financial support they could get!

The campaign involves social media posts, as well as leaflets and posters circulated throughout Haverhill. We're hoping to reach a whole section of people who think that REACH is only there to help those who have reached crisis point. Instead, we're encouraging people who are just about getting by with stretched finances, who may be working, but who might be losing sleep worrying about unexpected bills, to visit one of our Drop-In sessions and see if there is help available that they aren't currently aware of.

The most important message comes from Alice and her husband Fred, who reluctantly got in touch with us and were amazed at how we were able to help:

'Listen, because listening don’t cost anything. And if it's explained to you the way it was explained to us, it's so clear. And what you actually get from it is priceless because it's put us at ease and stopped us stressing about “What if?” and saying “I don’t know what’s going to happen”.

'Instead it was “oh, that was easy”. And REACH is friendly. And there was no harm in just listening to someone and finding out what’s going on.

'It’s what you’re entitled to. Especially if you’ve worked your whole life, because we’ve worked our whole lives and you’re not used to claiming. And I think there’s a lot of people like that!'

Click here to find our more about Drop-In sessions, and about our Pounds in Pockets campaign.

 

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Schools out for the Summer!: Financial literacy lesson update

As of July, the school year has ended and we've been tallying up our figures following a brilliant year sparking an interest and boosting the financial skills of young people in the areas surrounding Haverhill, across West Suffolk and North Essex.

Since September 2023, more than 1400 children have benefitted from our sessions in schools, exploring the importance of household budgeting.
 
REACH's Money Mentor, Tracey Proctor, who runs the sessions says students have explored the topic enthusiastically, looking at the difference between wants and needs.
 
The sessions, held with the support of local schools, have been run for year 6 upwards.
 
Tracey said: "The workshops teach vital life skills to pupils, providing budgeting awareness and getting them to understand the running costs of a home and, hopefully, preventing them from getting into debt as young adults. The schools have welcomed the sessions which have been well received."

 

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Election Hustings 2024

***** Please note: This event has now closed. A recording of the event livestream can be found here ******

Welcome to the General Election Hustings for the West Suffolk Constituency!

We believe it's incredibly important that people from Haverhill and surrounding areas have their voices and experiences heard, so alongside St Mary's Church, we've organised a FREE hustings event for the upcoming general election.

Join us on Thur June 27 2024 at 7pm for this free event at St Marys Church, Haverhill for an evening of debate and discussion with the prospective parliamentary candidates for West Suffolk.

This is your chance to hear directly from those vying for your vote and ask them the burning questions on your mind. Don't miss this opportunity to engage with your potential representatives and make an informed decision come election day.

The event will be chaired by Roy Graham, and the questions he puts to the candidates will be impartially selected from those submitted.

To submit a question for the candidates, please send it via email to Hustings2024@reachhaverhill.org.uk by 20th June.

For free tickets, please use the link below.

Buy Tickets  

If you have any queries about this event, please email Hustings2024@reachhaverhill.org.uk.
 

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15th May 2024

Uncertainty as Reach Figures Show 50% More Children Fed Amid Economic News   

Reach Community Projects, based in Haverhill, Suffolk, is concerned about a lack of long-term social security systems in place as latest statistics show their Haverhill foodbank has fed 56% more children than 5 years ago.

Reach Community Projects is always alert to, and monitoring, the effects of economic events, including government policies, on the wellbeing of the poorest sections of society and how they may be further called to action as a result.  

Recent announcements have highlighted messages both about the economy and also about food parcels; Trussell Trust, who REACH work with in partnership, have had an alarming record number of emergency food parcels given out in the past year. Meanwhile, the news that the UK is technically out of recession was balanced by the Bank of England’s decision not to lower interest rates, indicating that there is still inflationary pressure in the economy. 

At REACH, the dismay is first and foremost about the enormous rise in the number of children in the local area who have needed an emergency food parcel. The number in comparison to five years ago is a shocking 56% increase in children fed by REACH.  

This is just one example of the real-life effects on the local community, of which REACH is passionately concerned. Another is the steady increase since 2018 of adults aged over 65 being fed through emergency food, in line with the findings of Trussell Trust, from only 9 helped throughout 2018/19 to over 50 helped in 2023/24. 

Alongside these news items, REACH notes that prices and rents are still rising and putting considerable pressure on already pressed families working hard to balance their own household economics. For example, food inflation is still running at 4% (Office of National Statistics), that for clothing is much the same (Statistica) and the Department for Transport reports bus fares rising at 4.6%. 

In reaction to these alarming figures, Henry Wilson, CEO of REACH, remarked: “To see more and more families in our community having to turn to us for emergency support is not just saddening, it is also unacceptable. For even a single child to be hungry in need of food is a failure, and we need to see some real changes made across the board to prevent this from happening, and to turn this heartbreaking trend around.” 

In relation to the economic announcements, REACH’s CEO, Henry Wilson, said “It’s always great to hear even a smidgen of good news but my concern right now, in basic terms, is how this translates to those suffering real, real hardship in our community”. 

REACH’s point is that the costs of food, clothing, accommodation, transport and other essentials of life, are still rising with consequential negative impact upon many families and individuals already in great need. This concern is borne out by the increasing numbers of people turning to REACH for debt and long-term support as well as the rising activity at its food bank warehouse. 

Continuing in his analysis, Henry Wilson said “One of the reasons I worry about our fellow citizens in need is that, while the cost of living continues its upward trend, one of the major safety nets, the Household Support Fund, is due to end in just a very few months from now and that, in itself, is likely to precipitate a further leap in the numbers suffering hardship along with the despair that so often accompanies it. I say again that Pounds in Pockets is what makes the difference.” 

Aimee*, who is a single mum aged 23, felt hopeless when she came to us for a food parcel. She wants to do the best she can for her toddler and has had to take a part time job topping up her Universal Credit payment of £311.68 a month (the standard amount for under 25s). She is doing all the right things, but just doesn’t have enough money coming in to cover the essentials, and she couldn’t afford to buy food for her daughter and still pay her bills.  

We were able to provide food for them both, and stopped the monthly rental charge for her washing machine through funding from the Household Support Fund used to buy her one instead. This small act was an incredible relief for Aimee, who relies on her machine as much as anyone with a small toddler does, and said that expense back each month really made a difference. We’ll continue to advocate on her behalf, and support her with financial and budgeting advice. 

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24th April 2024

Henry Wilson Shares Mixed Celebration and Concern  

REACH Community Projects has announced that it has achieved record financial gains for its clients over the past six months but its CEO, Henry Wilson, describes this double edged sword in the light of recent worrying media reports.

Henry Wilson, CEO of Haverhill based REACH Community Projects, spoke out on Monday in celebration that the REACH team had broken all previous records in real achievements for people in hardship. The record breaking figure is the overall financial gain for clients in a six month period (from October 2023 to March 2024) which amounted to over £500,000.  

This amazing amount, which represents life-changing events for a growing number in need, is made up of emergency aid, utility support, benefits entitlements – including Child Benefit - , debt relief and money from the Household Support Fund, which is currently set to end in September. 

Henry 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 food bank”. 

REACH supports those in financial crisis, in the Haverhill and surrounding areas, who come to them for help, and the highly trained team get to work on a journey with the client, which often starts with emergency aid from various funds to deal with the immediate situation, and goes on to work 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 one hundred thousand 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. Henry 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. Essential things such as the ability to pay rent and utilities, to have a warm home, to afford food and clothing and, for many, the cost of travel to and from work. All the things that are often taken for granted. 

Henry summed up “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.?“ 

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