SearchUrgent appeal from EDS UK
- 6 October, 2022
- EDS UK news
In our post-pandemic world, amid a new cost-of-living crisis, the support we provide people with EDS and HSD is needed more than ever.
The cost-of-living crisis will have an impact on everyone, but for those with a disability, the impact will be felt even harder. The Institute of Health Equity summarised it like this:
“Living with a disability increases the risk of experiencing fuel poverty. It leads to a reduced income… and cost of living is higher. Disabled people face higher energy bills due to having additional needs (such as medical equipment that requires a power source) and spending longer periods at home.”
The Institute of Health Equity
Our community tells us daily that they are struggling to make crucial medical appointments due to the ongoing effect of the pandemic on NHS waiting lists. Combined with the impact of the cost-of-living crisis, it is detrimental to both the physical and mental health of our community.
As a direct result of the latest crisis, we have seen a big increase in demand for our services – more people using the helpline and more people than ever accessing peer support groups. We want people to turn to us for support – it’s why we’re here and it’s what we do best. But we’re struggling.
Over the last six months our income has been consistently down 29% each month. In line with Charity Commission guidelines and our own risk management policy, we maintain reserve levels at six months of operating costs – our experience of the pandemic and now the current climate has taught us just how necessary this is. If we continue at this rate, in the not-too-distant future we will start to have to use these reserves. This isn’t a viable last resort.
We are trying every possible way to reduce the shortfall to continue our core work and hopefully navigate our way through this turbulent period. It is a vulnerable time for the charity and we’d like to ask for your help.
How you can help us now
Please make a donation. In the context of this appeal, we know a donation won’t be possible for everyone, but if you can, it would be very much appreciated.
Contact our fundraising team for opportunities you can be involved with. There’s something for everyone and anything you raise will make a measurable difference.
Look within your networks. Are there any companies or groups you are involved with that may be able to financially support EDS UK? Do they have regular charities they support that you can put us forward for?
The Ehlers-Danlos Support UK is a charity which is often perceived to be larger than it is. We are proud of this – it reflects the efforts of our staff, volunteers and supporters. At our heart we are only 83 volunteers and the equivalent of 7 full time members of staff, operating from a small office in Borehamwood but reaching over 13,000 people throughout the UK.
Over the coming months you will hear stories of charities similar in stature and size to us having to close or at least reduce services to survive. We hope the government will put a plan in place to support charities and help see us out the other side. Until then, we are turning to you.
We don’t intend for this appeal to be alarmist, but we do want our valued members and supporters to understand the situation we are facing and ask for your help now, before you see changes in the way we are able to operate.
Thank you for your continued support of EDS UK. We really couldn’t do it without you.
Best wishes,
The Staff and Trustees of The Ehlers-Danlos Support UK