The hardship fund was launched during the pandemic and unfortunately the need for this has never been higher.
Women can apply to the hardship fund via their MASH worker if they are in crisis or need essential items for moving into a new home.
Women have recently applied for;
“A mobile phone because mine was stolen. My MASH worker had no way of contacting me and I was really worried about missing appointments.”
“A weekly bus pass so that I can make it to collect my daily prescription and attend medical appointments on my own.”
“Kitchen utensils, crockery and pans because I had a new flat but nothing in it. I was just eating bread and cold food. Now I can cook for myself.”
“I applied for money from MASH’s hardship fund because I had no ID or letters so I couldn’t open a bank account. They had all been lost and I needed to apply for a new birth certificate.”
Annie Emery at MASH said; “It is hard to quantify the difference it makes when a woman can access the hardship fund and choose the items she needs.
“A £30 food voucher is so much more than that. It’s the difference between being given donated food and being able to go the supermarket, to choose her own ingredients and engage in something she really enjoys – cooking.
“Or £20 for a mobile phone is the difference between isolation and connection to someone she trusts.
“Although we launched this as a temporary measure we are predicting higher demand than ever so it is vital that our hardship fund can continue so women can have their most basic needs met.”
