The requests for small grants are detailed, varied and at times heart breaking. 

A fast food worker needs to buy a pair of shoes as part of his uniform before he starts his job.

Another man has been helped to buy new tools so he could return to work. He sold his tools earlier to fund his mother’s funeral.

Some are refugees, with one listed as needing help with travel costs to therapy sessions for PTSD after fleeing his country. 

Many are from people living with mental and physical ill health. There are families and individuals who were just getting by before an item such as a cooker or fridge broke. Others have been unemployed and need help in the weeks before they receive their first wages.

The Acts 435 charity was founded just over a decade ago by the then Archbishop of York Dr John Sentamu and launched at the General Synod of the Church of England. 

It relies on a network of trained advocates based in more than 500 churches and local charities throughout the UK to act as intermediaries for people in need. 

Donors are able to give directly in response to requests posted on the charity website. 

The number of people it has helped has risen by more than 50% since the start of the pandemic.  

In February last year there were 334 people who were helped but this figure rose to 513 two months later, after the first lockdown. Demand has remained at the same level since.

Acts 435 Executive Director Jenny Herrera (pictured) said she believed that the charity was now facing the ‘calm before the storm’ this winter.

“We have so many people in need, and we always pray that God will provide people who will come along and help. We are a small team and we would love to partner with more churches and reach more people.”