For 15 years, Suffolk Community Foundation’s Surviving Winter Campaign has helped protect some of the county’s most vulnerable residents from the harsh realities of winter.

See how your donation helped people like Lucy*

Lucy, who is in her 60s, used to keep her thermostat at 8 degrees C to save on gas, which meant her flat was incredibly cold with mould forming around the windows. A former victim of abuse, she also suffers from deep anxiety and PTSD and is too scared to go out alone.

After visiting Lucy at home, a Reach advisor gave her a heated blanket, energy vouchers and a food box. They also helped her successfully apply for a personal independence payment (PIP) and have since given Lucy one-to-one support to build her confidence so that she can leave the house for short walks and visit the dentist and eye clinic. They are now looking for ways to further reintegrate her into the community.

None of this would be possible without first receiving funding to tackle the heating problem and making sure Lucy’s basic needs were being met.

* name has been changed to protect identity.