Milton Keynes Community Foundation has put out an urgent call to local businesses to help support its Cost-of-Living appeal.
Poverty is now a harsh reality for many families in Milton Keynes, impacting thousands of residents, yet it often goes unseen. MK Community Foundation’s #InvisiblePovertyMK campaign shines a light on this urgent crisis, worsened by the cost-of-living, raising crucial funding for local charities providing essential support to those in need.
One story highlighted by the campaign is that of Isaac, a 28-year-old Office Manager from Monkston, who is homeless and secretly living in his car, while balancing work and supporting his children. But nobody sees his poverty, and nobody knows his struggle.
Nobody knows that he is struggling because he dresses smartly for work and all his colleagues like his upbeat and cheerful demeanor. Nobody knows that behind that cheerful smile, he hides the fact that he split up with his wife and is now homeless.
Nobody knows that he still has to pay the mortgage and support his children, so he can’t afford to rent a place. Nobody knows that he is sleeping in his car and turning up early to work to wash and shave. Nobody knows that he is constantly afraid of having his things stolen, being beaten up, or worse.
Nobody knows that he is starting to lose hope. Nobody knows because nobody really sees him. He’s invisible, and so is his desperate situation.
If you knew, what would you do?
Isaac represents countless others in Milton Keynes quietly struggling to meet basic needs as expenses continue to rise. His story is one of many that highlight the urgent need for greater community support and resources.
UnityMK is among many local charities awarded a cost-of-living grant by MK Community Foundation. The £10,000 grant, awarded earlier this year, ensured the charity could keep its doors open, continuing to support those who need it most.
Corporate and Community Fundraising Manager at UnityMK, Ria House, said:
“We found the number of people who are homeless definitely increased last winter. We were seeing two newly homeless people, on average, every single day our centres were open. Some of these people were working, or were the type of people who would never have thought they’d find themselves in this situation, and were completely unprepared. We’ve also faced challenges caused by the cost-of-living crisis ourselves, so the grant couldn’t have come at a better time for us.”
Ian Revell, CEO of MK Community Foundation said:
“Local businesses are vital to the success of our #InvisiblePovertyMK campaign. By contributing, you not only help us fund charities that provide essential support to those struggling in our community, but you also help strengthen the very neighbourhoods where your employ- ees and customers live.”
There are many ways your business can help make a difference, including making a direct donation to the appeal.
To find out about other ways to help visit www.mkcommunityfoundation.co.uk or contact claire.baldock@mkcommunityfoundation.co.uk.
