Vital running costs appeal

Can you help us continue our life-changing work?

As the CEO of a small (albeit it rapidly growing!) charity, funding is rarely out of my mind. As demand for our services and support grows, so funding is increasingly harder to come by.

We're facing more demand and higher costs with less funding

We’ve seen a huge increase in the number of women needing our support - around 52% more than this time last year. 

And, like everyone, we’re facing rising costs every day due to the cost-of-living crisis.

At the same time, funding for small charities has gone down, especially for charities supporting women and girls. Competition has never been tougher. Our brilliant fundraising team of Tash and Jo work tirelessly to keep the funds coming in and, in turn, keep the cogs of MSH turning.

And while bids for our frontline services have been successful, it is the ever-increasing behind the scenes running costs where we’re feeling the pinch.

Like so many small charities, businesses and households, we’ve had no choice but to use our general reserves to cover shortfalls in funding, increased costs and to keep up with the ever-growing demand.

Vital for frontline support

Our running costs include things like utility bills, rent, phone bills, broadband, repairs to our buildings, maintaining our computer systems, training and insurances, our ‘behind the scenes’ staff, resources and administration.

All the things that make our frontline work possible.

Without  funding we also can’t do the things that help make clients feel safe, comfortable and valued – for example offering a warm welcoming space and a hot drink on a cold day or switching on an electric fan in summer. We can’t give them as much practical help either, like printing important documents, covering the cost of a sandwich for a women disclosing abuse to the police, or providing colouring pencils and paper to keep her child occupied.

Women in our communities need help

We supported 1325 new clients in 2022. In the first half of 2023 we’ve supported 52% more women than in the same period last year. We regularly work with over 600 women each month. 

These women are from a wide range of backgrounds – they could be your neighbours, friends, family, colleagues, customers or employees. They are certainly members of your wider community. Help us to keep providing the expert support that they need.

The amazing MSH team continues to support every single woman, with minimal waiting lists, with smiles on their faces, and with their usual compassionate professionalism, but I am painfully aware of how much more thinly stretched we are.

We have no choice but to continue asking individuals and companies in our community for support at a time when they are facing the same financial squeeze themselves. I continue to be awed by the generosity of the public at such a difficult time.

Could you support us or spread the word?

We’ve set a challenging target, but we believe we can reach it with the support of you, our community.

We know it is going to be tough, and that we’re asking at a time when people may not be able to help. But unfortunately this is what is needed to help us meet the drastic increase in women using our services, and ensure our long term stability.

Donate:

If you can donate, were delighted that for every £1 you give, the Aviva Community Fund will match it (up to £250), so your pennies will go a long way in supporting us in our hour of need.

Donate now: https://bit.ly/MSHappeal

Fundraise:

Could you run a fundraising event or challenge to raise money for MSH? Our Fundraising team have lots of ideas if you’d like to organise an event or challenge: Email fundraising@mysistershouse.info .

Spread the word:

If you aren’t in a position to help financially, you can still help by spreading the word to friends, family and colleagues by sharing our social media posts. Every share, repost, like and comment means our message reaches further, and we really appreciate it.

Thank you so much for your support,

Love Lucy x