Changing Vulnerable Lives
We’ve helped people in need for over 140 years; our work remains as vital as ever.
Since 1876 Charity Link has been working to ensure that people in need are warm, safe and fed and have the basics in life that we all deserve. We believe that until these basic needs are met, it is simply not possible for people to move forward and reach their full potential.
Whatever crisis, illness, disability or difficulty someone is facing, we aim to be there to ensure that individuals and families in financial hardship throughout Leicester, Leicestershire, Rutland and Northamptonshire receive help. This is only possible with the support of the local community.
We help thousands of people every year, a third of which are children and young people. And, behind every statistic, there is a personal - and sometimes heart-breaking - story. Your support really does change lives.
Neil, who has two school-age children and a younger child, was referred to us in need of urgent help by a support worker at the children’s primary school. Both Neil and his partner Lois have long-term health conditions and one…
Read More
Katie is a single parent to three children. She works part-time in a school but her wages are low and she has been finding it increasingly challenging to make ends meet. The cost of her daily essentials, including food and…
Read More
Niamh has been struggling to make ends meet. She takes prescribed medication for a mental health illness and as she is a single parent, caring for her young son, she is unable to work. With limited benefits she has been…
Read More
Sonya was referred to us for help by a domestic abuse charity after she fled her home with her three boys. Sonya is now trying to get by as a single parent and is working part-time in the hospitality industry.…
Read More
Tim has a mental health condition and is a hoarder. He has few family or friends and has lived alone for much of his adult life. His Health Care Support Worker found that the property he was living in was…
Read More
Pensioner Donald is affected by a number of serious mental health issues which have made life a challenge. He has recently separated from his wife which meant a move to sheltered accommodation which has been a massive and unsettling change.…
Read More
Damani is a single mum to two young daughters. She works part-time but her wages are low and it has been a struggle to make ends meet for some time. This has been even more challenging as the cost of…
Read More
Katie was referred to us for help by her support worker. A young mum living with her toddler and baby, Katie has been diagnosed with a number of mental health conditions which mean she is currently unable to work. As…
Read More
Deborah, who is in her seventies, was knocked over by a group of young people on bikes and ended up in hospital with internal bleeding and broken ribs. A friend was preparing for her to return home after her time…
Read More
Clara was referred to us by a Community Psychiatric Nurse. Clara suffered sexual and physical abuse as a child and spent periods of time in care. As an adult, due to mental health issues and a history of serious self-harm,…
Read MoreIn the last three months together, we have helped 1778 people, including 717 children and provided £535,349 of support.
That's 2053 items to help improve vulnerable people's lives.
133
392
213
75
437
299
In the last three months together, we have helped 1778 people, including 717 children and provided £535,349 of support.
133
392
213
75
That's 2053 items to help improve vulnerable people's lives.
437
299
Who we help
Charity Link helps people of all ages and backgrounds who find themselves in financial hardship, including:
- Frail elderly people
- Victims of domestic violence
- Carers
- People with a chronic illness or disability
- Those facing mental health issues
- People impacted by job losses or those in low paid work or on zero hour contracts
- People who have been affected by family breakdown or bereavement
- Those in crisis, such as after a fire in the home
- Working families struggling to make ends meet
- Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic we have also helped thousands of people who have been directly impacted (including those who have lost jobs and livelihoods and those who are struggling due to long-COVID). Read our COVID Impact Review which outlines all we achieved together during the first year of the pandemic. Our Impact Review (found in our Downloads section) also provides further information.
- People finding themselves in need due to the cost of living crisis
Where we work
Charity Link began helping people in need in Leicester in 1876. In 1975 we expanded our work across all of Leicestershire and Rutland and in 2012 we further expanded to help those in need in Northamptonshire.
The support we offer
We help by providing everyday items that the majority of us take for granted, such as clothing, a bed to sleep in, a cooker to prepare a hot meal, and, in emergencies, food. These items may not cost much, but they can make a massive difference to people’s lives, both immediately and long term. They can help restore dignity, independence, hope for the future, and enable people to fulfil their potential in life.
How we work
We work with over 250 local organisations that are out in the community working with individuals and families in need. We support these organisations, along with professionals working with those in need (teachers, GPs etc.), to assist them in referring clients to us for support via our application process. Working in this way keeps our overheads to a minimum, increases the efficiency of our services and ensures that we get the help to those who need it when they need it most. Once a referral is received, we act immediately. If the need is urgent we can help the same day.
OUR UNIQUE SERVICE: TURNING YOUR £10 DONATION INTO £50 OF ESSENTIAL ITEMS
Our dedicated team have an expert knowledge (gained over our long history) of the thousands of benevolent funds and charitable trusts in the UK that have money to assist people in need.
This means that for every £10 donated (which funds our vital casework service), we can raise £50 from charitable trusts that are available to help people in need – 100% of that £50 goes directly to provide essential items.
Once we have obtained the necessary funding for a client, we purchase the goods so desperately needed and deliver them direct and install them if required (often via our social enterprise, The Goods Depot).
Every pound you raise or donate really will change lives.
For every £10 you donate we can raise £50 from charitable trusts.
£5
= £25
£10
= £50
£30
= £150
£100
= £500
All of that £50 goes directly to provide essential items for people in need,
meaning your kind gift really will change lives.
For every £10 you donate we can raise £50 from charitable trusts.
All of that £50 goes directly to provide essential items for people in need,
meaning your kind gift really will change lives.
£5
= £25
£30
= £150
£10
= £50
£100
= £500
"For me in these tough times you have been a huge help. I am extremely grateful – without you guys I would have really struggled. Thank you.”
