We know that many individuals and families are facing increasing financial pressure. Through our Food and Emergency Financial Support work, we aim to provide practical help to those experiencing hardship, while also working alongside communities to address the wider causes of poverty and food insecurity.
Our support is delivered through parishes and schools, which act as trusted local access points for people in need.
Emergency Financial Support
We offer a range of emergency financial support to help individuals and families manage unexpected or urgent financial difficulties.
This support includes:
- Parish & School Vouchers Scheme help with the cost of essential items such as food and household goods. This scheme is run through parishes and schools, who act as local access point to support their local community. Please note that not all schools and parishes distribute vouchers. If you are a parish or school who is interested in receiving vouchers and would like more information, please email cfc@rcdow.org.uk.
- Crisis Grants support people facing sudden financial hardship. If you are a parish or school who is interested in applying for a grant and would like more information, please email caritasgrants@rcdow.org.uk
- Funeral Grants help families who are struggling to meet funeral costs. If you are a parish or school who is interested in applying for a grant and would like more information, please email caritasgrants@rcdow.org.uk
Our aim is to make this support as simple and accessible as possible. By bringing these forms of support together into one integrated offer, we help parishes and schools quickly identify the most appropriate assistance for those in need. Support is prioritised for communities experiencing the greatest levels of poverty and hardship, ensuring that resources are directed where they are most needed.
If you need support, please speak to your local parish or school, who can help guide you through the process.
Community Food Support
Across the Diocese, many parishes and schools run community food projects such as food banks, pantries, and meal provision. These projects provide vital support to individuals and families who are struggling to afford food.
We work to strengthen these local projects by:
- Supporting volunteers with training and guidance
- Sharing resources that help connect people to wider advice and support
- Helping projects remain sustainable and responsive to local needs
- Encouraging collaboration between food projects and other local services
Our approach recognises that food support is often the first step in helping people access wider support and regain stability.
Listening to Communities and Working for Change
Through our work with parishes, schools, and community food projects, we hear directly from people experiencing financial hardship and food insecurity. These insights are vital.
We use this learning to:
- Improve the support we offer
- Share lived experiences (with consent) to highlight the realities of poverty
- Contribute to local and national conversations about food insecurity and the right to food
- Advocate for long-term solutions that address the root causes of hardship
We believe that alongside providing immediate help, there is an important role in working towards lasting change.
Accessing Support
If you or someone you know may need support, the first step is to speak with your local parish or school. They can help you understand what support may be available and guide you through the process.
If you are part of a parish or school and would like to learn more about the emergency financial support available, please contact our team for further information. If you are a parish or school, and would like to apply for a grant, please complete the relevant form below.
Please note, we do not accept applications directly from people who need support. Applications must be completed by a parish, school or partnership organisation.