“We are delighted to announce the launch of the Cash First Flexible Crisis Fund as of Monday 4th of November 2024.”
What is Cash First?
Aberdeen Cash First Network forms part of the Scottish Government pilot – “Cash-First: Towards Ending the Need for Food Banks in Scotland” – which sets out a human rights approach to tackling food insecurity.
The Scottish Government recognise that the main reason why some people are compromising on food is insufficient and insecure incomes. The Cash First pilot offers a test of change to understand how access to financial crisis support can replace emergency food provision across Scotland.
Aberdeen Cash First, Flexible Crisis Fund
In Aberdeen, ACVO have co-designed the Cash First Flexible Crisis Fund alongside partner organisations. The fund will support single males from the age of 18 to 45 who are in receipt of Universal Credit who are presenting at food banks in crisis by providing them with money and improving access to wrap-around support.
Individuals can be referred to the Flexible Crisis Fund through trusted partner organisations involved with the Cash First Network. The trusted partners can refer the individual for up to £600 – either in one-off or reoccurring payments – depending on their level of need.
Cash First funding offers flexibility and choice for the recipients to decide what their immediate needs are and on what they wish to spend the money on; for example, food and essential items, paying off a rent arrear, or paying for a space on a training opportunity to help them get back into employment.
The crisis fund will be delivered to the individuals via vouchers, cash payments or direct payments depending on their ability to budget the funding and any risks around providing them with cash payments.
Alongside increasing incomes, adequate advice and support is fundamental to a Cash First approach. When referred to the Flexible Crisis Fund, there will be an assessment of need to identify which wrap-around support services the individual will be referred to and supported to engage with.
How to Refer
Individuals can be referred to the Flexible Crisis Fund through trusted partner organisations involved with the Cash First Network.
If you are supporting someone within the demographic but are out with the trusted partner organisations, you can refer the individual to one of the trusted partner organisations to receive Cash First and wider support.
To find out who the trusted partner organisations are and how to refer, please get in touch with Amy Duncan, Cash First Network Co-ordinator, at amy.duncan@acvo.org.uk
Get in touch
Future updates surrounding Cash First will be available on the ACVO website at acvo.org.uk/cashfirst
Please get in touch with Amy Duncan, Cash First Network Co-ordinator, at amy.duncan@acvo.org.uk, if you have any further questions surrounding Cash First or our Aberdeen project.
