The Waterways Chaplaincy has started a hardship fund to assist vulnerable boat dwellers. This fund can help with the cost of essential items like fuel or gas, or help boaters on a low income with irregular expenses that they cannot afford.
For example, some on low incomes struggle to pay the four-yearly cost of getting their boat through the BSS certificate. Without a BSS certificate, a boat cannot be licensed and every year a few boat dwellers lose their homes in the resulting Section 8 process for this reason. With disabled people being deemed “fit for work” and losing the disability benefits they rely on, and unemployed people facing a draconian benefit sanctions regime, the need for a hardship fund is increasing and the Waterways Chaplaincy is to be congratulated for this initiative. For more information about the fund contact Workplace Matters, which runs the Waterways Chaplaincy, on 01727 818144 or admin@workplacematters.org.uk. To make a donation, see https://my.give.net/Hardshipfund. To contact the Waterways Chaplains Peter and Lin Atwill on nb Gospel Belle, who are on the K&A this winter, ring or text 07801 562483.
See also
http://kanda.boatingcommunity.org.uk/nb-gospel-belle-brings-changeover-of-ka-waterways-chaplains/
http://kanda.boatingcommunity.org.uk/crt-welfare-officer-in-post/
Tags: hardship fund, liveaboards, Waterways Chaplaincy, welfare benefits, Workplace Matters