Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How does the Charity’s application process work?
A: If you are an applicant you need to ask an independent professional support worker to endorse your application. If you are a support worker we ask you to explain the individual/family circumstances and to provide a full statement setting out the reasons for the request and what impact the financial assistance will have on the individual/family concerned. You should attach to your application a quotation for the specific item requested. When the Secretary receives your request they may ask you for additional information. They will also let you know the date on which the Trustees will meet to consider your application. The Charity will notify the Support Worker of the outcome within one week of that meeting. If the application is successful, a cheque made payable to the supplier to the specific amount of the requested item will be sent to the Support Worker.
Q: Why does my application need to be endorsed by a professional Support Worker?
A: The Trustees want to be assured that the charitable funds they are responsible for are being used to assist those in the greatest need and are being used for the greatest beneficial impact. So they require that an independent professional support worker, familiar with the individual/family situation, endorses each application. The support worker explains and vouches for the individual/family circumstances and provides a full statement setting out the reasons for the request and what impact the financial assistance will have on the individual/family concerned.
Q: Who can endorse an application?
A: An independent professional support worker familiar with the circumstances of the applicant. This may be an assigned social worker, Housing Officer, Health Visitor, family practitioner, tenancy support advisor, etc etc. Or in cases where there is no assigned support worker, an application could be endorsed by the applicant’s GP or vicar or by an Advice Co-ordinator from Norfolk Citizens Advice.
Q: Why do I have to submit a quotation with my application?
A: The Charity provides financial assistance for the purchase of specific items, services or facilities to help those in need. If an application is successful the Charity will issue a cheque, or make a BACS transfer, directly to the relevant supplier for the specific cost of the requested item.
Q: Where should I get a quotation from?
A: For electrical items we suggest you obtain quotes from Economy Cookers or Cooper & Elms as we have found them to be reasonable and reliable suppliers offering good value for money.
For carpets we have found that the Derwent range is a decent quality carpet at a reasonable price and applications for that range or similar will be considered. Local suppliers include Economy Flooring, Supreme Carpets, Olympic Carpets and Lynn Carpet Centre. Please ensure that all carpet quotes state cost per square metre.
When seeking financial assistance for more than one item, or for the carpeting of more than one room, please rank each item requested in priority order.
The St James Bed Centre on Norfolk Street, King’s Lynn is a local supplier of beds and bedroom furniture.
The British Heart Foundation shop on High Street, King’s Lynn is a useful source of good quality second-hand furniture.
This is not an exhaustive list. But because of the way the Charity operates – it is only able to make direct payments to retailers/suppliers by cheque and by BACS transfer – it cannot make payments to certain retailers/suppliers, most notably Argos.
Q: Does the Charity give cash grants?
A: No. The Charity provides financial assistance for the purchase of specific items, services or facilities calculated to help those in need who apply for help. If an application is successful the Charity will issue a cheque, or make a BACS transfer, directly to the relevant supplier for the specific cost of the requested item.
Q: What does the Charity give grants for?
A: Recent assistance has included: the purchase of cookers, washing machines, dryers, fridges and fridge freezers; the purchase of carpeting and other flooring; provision of furniture and bedding; assistance with heating and utility costs; funding of Debt Relief Orders; and help with relocation costs with the Borough. This list is not exhaustive and the Trustees will give all applications due consideration. The Trustees, generally speaking, wish to assist with the purchase of items or services which will have a lasting and positive impact for the beneficiaries.
Q: How long will I have to wait to hear the outcome of my application?
A: When the Secretary receives your application he will let the support worker know the date on which the Trustees will meet to consider your application. He will notify the Support Worker of the outcome within one week of that meeting. If the application is successful, a cheque made payable to the retailer/supplier for the specified amount will be sent to the Support Worker.
Q: What is the deadline for applications?
A: The Trustees meet to consider applications four times a year, in March, June, September and December. Generally speaking the Secretary’s deadline for receipt of applications in each case is the last day of the previous month. If in doubt please contact the Secretary. In addition, urgent applications may be considered between meetings. Again, please contact the Secretary.
