Cambridge Aid

Cambridge Aid helps local people in crisis by giving them average grants of £200 to get the essentials they need the most. We issue grants, usually within three days of receiving an application. We work with a network of over 40 charities and local council teams who act as sponsors. These include Cambridge & District Citizens Advice, Cambridge Social Services, Jimmy’s Cambridge, Women’s Resources Centre, Mental Health Foundation Trusts and The Red Hen Project. Our rapid practical grants form part of the support provided by our partner organisations in helping the most vulnerable reduce the hardship they face. We are a small charity with a group of unpaid trustees and volunteers who believe strongly in compassion, acting in a non-judgemental way and providing rapid support to those in need. Our trustees carefully scrutinise every request sent to Cambridge Aid. Most requests receive positive responses, and we also make many suggestions for additional sources of help. Through our aid, we empower individuals, help them to retain their dignity, and remind them that their community cares about them. Around half of our aid benefits children, and many recipients are single parents. Over 50% of grants are to individuals or families affected by mental health issues, and 25% by domestic violence. We anticipate receiving more requests for help from those deep in debt and more support with gas and electricity bills, food costs and rising inflation. People are struggling with the cost of living, and we need your support to help us to continue giving these grants. Together, we offer hope and dignity to the people in our community.