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Organised by MAMA Youth“This fund really does save lives. Honestly, if it wasn't for the fund, I don't know where I’d be today.” Due to the current cost-of-living crisis, MAMA Youth alumni need your support!
Closed 26/04/2024
Our post-COVID-19 hardship fund campaigns for MYP alumni have enabled us to support some of those in real need – thanks to you.
However, more alumni and trainees still need your help, especially during these challenging times. A Crisis in both general cost of living and for those employed in the Broadcast industry has now increased urgency to the raise funds and reach those who are struggling.
Many of our alumni are striving to move away from challenging backgrounds and were already disadvantaged prior to the impact of the pandemic. We know that already vulnerable young people will now be subject to further financial pressure in addition to mental health issues. Many of our alumni were just embarking on their career journey, seeing light at last at the end of the tunnel and instead are now facing grave uncertainty in an increasingly unpredictable industry.
The impact of spiralling costs on MAMA Youth alumni attempting to cope financially has already been significant since the pandemic and will likely worsen over the coming months. These are young people from low-income and disadvantaged backgrounds who are now at risk of severe financial hardship and we need to ensure that the most vulnerable are protected from the damaging economic effects as far as possible.
The Hardship Fund has been created to provide support primarily for subsistence and living costs, rent and accommodation for those at risk of becoming homeless, support for those unemployed and not eligible for any existing schemes, and those without access to IT equipment to enable them to work from home or take part in remote learning.
After the pandemic, the emergency Just Giving Campaign raised over £9000 and provided a lifeline to 11 MYP trainees and alumni, enabling them to cope during training and unemployment. The money donated ensured that those most vulnerable could pay for rent, food and transport, and other necessities during difficult times.
“The fund has meant one month worth of oxygen to me, as I felt like I couldn't breathe just being terrified of becoming homeless again. My universal credit application was taking time to process, and the Hardship Fund covered my rent and other necessities for that month. This fund really does save lives. Honestly, if it wasn't for the fund, I don't know where I’d be today.” (MYP Alumni)
“I moved to London specifically for my MYP training relatively soon after the first lockdown was lifted. Up until my first minimum wage pay check, MAMA Youth paid for my railcard. It worked out at £6-8 a day, which may not seem a lot to some, but it made a HUGE difference to my circumstances at the time. Having just moved and needing to support myself financially following a long period of unemployment, this being taken care of allowed me to really focus on the training at hand. MYP really takes into account your personal situation and helps alleviate boundaries that would otherwise prevent you from accessing the training. I am now in employment thanks to the MYP team, whose support continues to guide you long after the training is complete." (MYP Graduate)
- Giving £20 could pay for basic provisions for a few days.
- Giving £75 could help with rent and utility bills for a week.
- Giving £150 could buy food supplies for a month.
- Giving £300 could purchase a laptop.
- Giving £500 could purchase a laptop with a WIFI subscription.
A big thank you from everyone at MAMA Youth!
We greatly appreciate those who can support us by making a gift and those who can share our appeal on social media. Your generosity ensures that we can provide essential support to alumni who may have nobody else to turn to.
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