Abta LifeLine reports more applications for support amid Gulf conflict

Abta’s charity, LifeLine, says it is “busier than ever” amid a surge of applicants who need help because of crises prompted by the Middle East conflict.

 

The charity has also reported a rise in applications from those working in the trade who are coping with serious health conditions – either their own or as a carer.

 

Director Trudie Clements said: “The Middle East crisis is an issue [and] the cost of living and energy bills are going up.

 

“We’ve already had a couple of applications for support for heating oil. People are struggling out there.

 

“I don’t think we’ve ever been quite this busy.

 

“So far this year we’ve had 60-plus applications for support. [That is] a lot of people coming to us in a short space of time.”

 

Commenting on the rising numbers of applicants needing support with health issues, she said: “Over the last month, sadly, we’ve had several with cancer diagnoses.

 

“With one, we are helping pay his mortgage for five months until he has surgery for a benign brain tumour.

 

“We also had a request for a disability aid for somebody who needs support with limited mobility.”

Aside from the current crisis in the Gulf and increasing health problems, LifeLine is still helping people to cope with the rising cost of living and to buy everyday essentials, such as food, bills and house appliances.

 

“Furniture and appliance poverty is a very real thing in the UK, and we do get a lot of people coming to us for that,” said Clements.

 

“A lot of people are managing day to day. When you throw in a curve ball – it could be a sickness or caring for somebody – then a manageable situation becomes unmanageable.

 

“We had a case with a sudden bereavement. Funerals are not cheap [so] we stepped in to help with the essential cost of a funeral.”

 

Apart from financial support, LifeLine can direct people to debt and housing advice from Citizens Advice Manchester, and mental health and wellbeing support from the Centre for Crisis Psychology (CCP).

 

According to Citizens Advice, the ‘indirect value’ of services provided via LifeLine based on benefits to individuals, the state and wider society has exceeded £190,000 in the past two years, which Clements described as “life-changing”, adding: “The most important thing is to remind people we are here to support them. We want to spread the word so more people to know about us.”