This Christmas, applications and verifications will close on Monday 9 December 2024, midday.
We will reopen applications and verifications on Monday 6 January 2025, midday.
This will give our hard-working team, processing more applications than ever before, the chance to rest and recharge. However, we will continue to process applications and will be contactable for unexpected emergency situations, until our office closes for Christmas on Tuesday 24 December 2024, midday.
If you are in need of urgent support after this date, we recommend you refer to the alternative sources of charitable support listed on our website. If you feel comfortable, you can also contact your diocese, Archdeacon or Bishop to see if there are any discretionary funds which may be able to help.
When we reopen in 2025, we’ll be making changes to some of our grants.
During the pandemic, we temporarily increased the number of Emergency grants available per household per year from two to three, to ensure that our applicants were supported during this unprecedented and challenging time. With lockdown thankfully long behind us, this will now return to two emergency grants per household per year.
We will also continue the logistical change to our Wellbeing holiday grants. Applications for a Wellbeing holiday grant must now be for a holiday taken within the same calendar year as the application. For example, if you apply for a holiday grant in 2025, this must be for a holiday taken in 2025.
We've updated the criteria for some of our Emergency grants. Please check the text before applying, to see if the grant you are applying for has changed since you last visited our website.
What we've achieved in 2024
Time has flown – It may not feel it, but it was this time last year that we introduced a new application system, so we could provide the best possible user experience for every household that comes to us in need.
Since then, we have provided over 6,000 grants to Anglican clergy and their families. We've expanded our Visiting Caseworker Service, with new team members to help support applicants in the North West and South West of the UK. We've also launched our Will Writing Service, giving our supporters a new way to donate, and clergy a quick, easy way to get an often daunting task out of the way.
Thank you to our applicants and our supporters, including our Governors and Stewards, for helping us to walk alongside and serve those who serve. We hope you have a Merry Christmas, and a very happy new year.