Making a difference in 2023

We’ve supported 36 charities this year – no surprise when you consider that each month our members decide which of three charities their monthly donation will go to. This added up to more than £13,000 raised for these diverse charities of different sizes, working in different areas of the UK, addressing a whole range of important needs in their communities.

This means more than £35,000 has been shared between 100 charities since Givto started.

The headline numbers are great, but what really matters is the individuals we have helped via the charities that work so hard on the “front line”.

Here’s a small sample of how the funds donated by Givto members have made a difference.

Leeds and Moortown Furniture store alleviates furniture poverty across Leeds. They support those who struggle to afford large furniture items for their homes such as sofas, beds, wardrobes. Every client referred to them is eligible to select up to five items of second-hand furniture to help get them started in their home.

They were featured on Givto at a time when they were really struggling to give their clients items of bedroom furniture, particularly wardrobes. They rely on donations of furniture from members of the public and at times of economic uncertainty, like now, people replace furniture less often and so they receive less donations.

With the money from Givto members they were able to buy four wardrobes and distribute them to those that really needed them. As Givto donations are unrestricted, charities have the freedom to spend the money where they know it will make the biggest difference.

Hannah Metcalf, Operations and Development Manager explained, “Furniture poverty, as with all levels of poverty, is on the increase – so support like yours is invaluable. Typically, the charity has focused on requesting donations of items rather than money, so your support showed to the Trustees that there is an appetite from members of the public to financially support a charity like Leeds and Moortown. One of the biggest ways to support us is to ‘spread the word’ about our work and the need for people to continue to donate furniture where they can.”

Out Together – Friends of Dorothy is a charity that champions social inclusion for older LGBTQ+ people, by hosting regular activities and events. They support older LGBTQ+ people living in West Yorkshire to live happy and healthy lives that are free from prejudice and discrimination. They run social events and activities to connect adults who may be feeling socially isolated and lonely as well as a telephone befriending service.

As a newly established charity they are really dependent upon donations and the funds from Givto went straight to the running costs of their social events, paying for room hire and biscuits.

Cambridge Rape Crisis Centre has had a busy year as demand for their services has dramatically increased. They have seen the number of rape survivors reaching out to them for support double in the last three years to nearly 2,000 individuals. Demand is high due to the impact of the pandemic and cost of living crisis.

They offer emotional, practical and therapeutic support for women and girls impacted by sexual violence. The funds from Givto directly funded some of these counselling sessions, which will be life changing for those women and girls. But it also gave the charity a real boost that so many Givto members wanted to support them. As a small charity they don’t have many members of staff to fundraise, so they really appreciated Givto being quick and easy to sign up to.

“It has meant so much to us to have been chosen by Givto’s amazing members.” Clare Baker, Centre Manager, Cambridge Rape Crisis Centre

How else have we helped?

Donations from Givto members in 2023 have also funded:

• personalised 1 to 1 support via telephone, video call or online chat to 20 people with eating disorders from across the UK
• training in English and other essential skills to help an asylum seeker settle and integrate in Kingston
• food for dogs and cats waiting to be rehoused in Edinburgh
• the refurbishment of 15 bicycles that will be donated to those who need them, whilst supporting prisoner rehabilitation
• three people at the end of their lives to go into a professional recording studio to record their Swan Song

If you’d like to support the amazing work of similar charities in 2024 and beyond, join the Givto community today.

Penny Coulthard is the Charity Engagement Lead at Givto. Find out more about Penny and the rest of the Givto crew in our meet the team.