How We’ve Helped
Some Recent Grants
for new glasses for a man in his 70’s living in London Colney (Nov 2024)
for a mattress for a lady in her 70’s from Bricket Wood (Nov 2024)
Flooring for a flat with concrete floors and a fridge freezer for a man in his 60’s from Cell Barnes area (Nov 24)
for a recliner chair for a lady in her 70’s from Harpenden (Oct 24)
for a new fridge freezer, warm clothes and winter boots for a man in his 70’s from Colney Heath (Nov 24)
Who We’ve Helped Across The District

Dave, 84
When Dave’s wife passed away 8 years ago, he would sit in his wife’s very old recliner chair every day very upset and distressed. Then his daughter suggested he started socialising more.
He met the Trust at an event, explained his circumstances and the Trust supplied him with a new recliner. Over the years, when Dave’s household items have unfortunately broken, the Trust has replaced them. Recently he was struggling to get in and out of the bath, so the Trust supplied a lifting bath chair. He also had some high energy bills, so the Trust gave him a supermarket voucher.
“I am so grateful to the Trust. I call the ladies up at the Trust and explain what I need and if they can help they will. They are very quick about getting everything sorted, and their supplier takes the old one away, with no fuss at all.
I would say to anyone – just give the ladies at the Trust a call. If you qualify for the help, they’ll tell you quickly and without any hassle they will help you. If they can’t they’ll give you advice on who else could help. You just have to call and ask.”
Cost: £2,250

Mr & Mrs B
When Maurice’s mobility scooter needed repairs, he turned to the Trust for help with the costs. For shorter journeys and getting on the bus he needed a rollator to help him get about in town and the market. The couple both needed new shoes as theirs were worn out and had lost their grip, so the Trust helped buy them some new shoes and warm clothes.
The couple also had some high energy bills, so the Trust gave them some supermarket vouchers to help with the cost-of-living crisis, as well as a small microwave to replace their old one.
Although they thought Maurice may qualify, the Boughens were daunted by the 30 page Attendance Allowance form. The Trust introduced them to Citizens Advice who helped them fill in the forms, gather all their medical information and successfully get this much needed increase to their income.
“We know the Trust will have our backs and help us when something breaks or if we need something to help us get out and My rollator is a lifeline for me, as I can’t always stand up for long.”
Cost: £1,560

Susan, 73
Susan worked in various part-time care, cleaning and retail jobs whilst bringing up her family. Then had to stop work before retirement age due to caring responsibilities. When she later applied for her state pension, she thought it was on the low side but thought this was because she hadn’t worked in paid employment throughout her life. She had never heard that there was extra support to top up her income. When she applied to the Trust for several items, we suggested she contacted Citizens Advice to see if she could get pension credit to top up her pension. She was very pleased to hear she was eligible to get almost £80 a month in Pension Credit and even more delighted to learn that Pension Credit is a gateway benefit, opening up access to all sorts of other support including free dental treatment.
“Thank you all so much for telling me about the Pension Credit. I had no idea it existed or that I could apply for this. £80 extra a month really helps me. I no longer have to worry about money. Thank you also for the washing machine, fridge freezer and supermarket voucher for £200 which you gave me.”
Cost: £950

Mrs G, 69
Mrs G lives in Wheathampstead in a Housing Association house. She receives state pension and pension credit, but struggles to make ends meet. Unexpected costs, like a broken appliance are a real financial worry for her. She could not afford to replace her old fridge freezer which had been leaking for months. She heard about the Trust from a friend and within 10 days of receiving her application, the Trust had provided her with a new appliance. On a another occasion her cooker thermostat malfunctioned, causing her smoke alarm to go off each time she cooked. Within a week of her application the Trust had replaced her non-repairable cooker with a new one. Recently she had a cataract operation so needed new glasses. As she receives Pension Credit she got a voucher from her optician for £50 towards the new glasses, but was struggling to pay the remaining £300, so the Trustees approved a grant for the cost.

Miss K, 77
Miss K, lives in her own home in St Albans. She receives a state pension, a small private pension and Attendance Allowance. She struggles financially month to month and the Trust approved a grant for help with her utility debts. A few years later she needed a room painted after a leak had damaged her wallpaper and left stains. The Trust paid for a decorator to strip and paint the room. When her ancient boiler broke down she asked the Trust for support. The Trust signposted her to a scheme which helped people on a low income to access a grant towards the installation of a new boiler. Her application was successful – the scheme paid £900 towards the cost and the Trust contributed with a grant for £1,500, leaving the client only needing to pay the balance of £400.
“Thank you, thank you, thank you. I cannot thank you enough for your help – I simply do not know what I would have done without you.” — Miss K
