Lending a hand as cost of living bites

As the cost of living continues to increase, more and more people are experiencing financial hardship, and charities are seeing unprecedented demand for their services.

Working Australians experienced the highest yearly jump in the cost of living on record earlier this year¹. And in data from the Australia Community Sector Survey (ACSS), just 3% of survey participants said their main service could always meet demand, meaning support organisations are struggling to keep up with the increase of people who need them².

The graph below shows the most common challenges affecting people and communities supported by ACSS survey participants³. 

NRMA Insurance and RACV joined forces in 2021, delivering $2 million to fund GIVIT's COVID-19 Relief Program to respond to a dramatic rise in COVID-19-related requests. 

In 2023, these funds have often been used to purchase essential items and services for people struggling with the cost of living crisis which began during the pandemic.

The COVID-19 Relief Program has coordinated the donation of more than 1.5 million essential items and services to people across Australia thanks to support from NRMA Insurance and RACV. Almost 750 support organisations Australia-wide have received items and services for the people they're assisting. Here are some of their stories.

Access to transport is an important part of life. Australians earning lower incomes are more likely to have lower access to transport, which in turn makes their lives harder and reinforces the cycle of disadvantage⁴. 

For young people learning to drive, access to a car and reliable teacher, and the cost of driving lessons, registration fees, and license tests can be significant barriers to obtaining a driving license. 

The Baw Baw L2P Program in regional Victoria provides driving experience to young learner drivers who'd otherwise find it difficult to access lessons and a driver's licence. Through Baw Baw L2P, GIVIT provided petrol vouchers for a young woman who'd just obtained her learner license.

"The smile on her face says it all! We're so grateful for RACV and GIVIT."

- Staff from Baw Baw L2P

For people impacted by natural disasters, the increased cost of living makes recovery that much harder.

During the floods that devastated Central West New South Wales in spring 2022, an elderly couple were trapped for hours inside their flooded home in Molong. They lost everything they owned, including their pet cat. They are living in temporary accommodation, and the husband has since had a stroke.

Through Hospital Auxiliary Molong, GIVIT and NRMA Insurance provided chemist vouchers to help the couple with their unexpected medical bills.

One in six kids in Australia experience disadvantage. The Sixth Child aims to help these children.

In Victoria, children are still readjusting to regular schooling and socialising with peers after two years of interruption due to COVID-19. The education of many kids suffered significantly, and students from disadvantaged families were more likely to disengage with school during this time.

The Sixth Child is working with schools to support student engagement through positive reinforcement. Students can earn rewards for good behaviour. GIVIT has provided art supplies, colouring books, toys and board games to assist with this program.

"With the donation from GIVIT and RACV, it will allow these children to engage with each other whilst doing a fun activity. Thanks so much RACV!"

- The Sixth Child Founder

In Southern Tasmania, Colony47 supports Tasmanians to be healthy, housed, educated, employed and empowered.

The organisation was supporting two young people who'd been homeless and couch surfing for over a year. 

After reengaging in education and finding part-time jobs with assistance from Colony47, the young people secured accommodation.

Thanks to RACV, GIVIT provided vouchers to buy a microwave, pots, pans, linen and a vacuum to help the young people get set up in their new home.

One of the young people even said he was excited to get home and vacuum the floor!

"These donations are so essential to the work we do with people experiencing homelessness. When someone is offered a tenancy, it is so heart-warming to be able to offer them essential items.

"Many of the people we work with, have limited or no belongings due to experiencing homelessness and to be able to start a tenancy with some household items really makes a difference in their lives! Thank you GIVIT and RACV!"

- Social worker from Colony47

Queenslanders with Disability Network was supporting a 43-year-old man requiring 24/7 care due to his disability. The man also has agoraphobia and doesn't like public settings. 

The gentleman has been socially isolated for most of his life, and wanted to feel more connected to his community, family and support network.

The man was unable to afford a phone, so GIVIT provided him one. He's now able to video call his mum and dad as often as he likes, and can connect with people in a way that makes him feel safe and comfortable. He also now has easy access to online health resources and support services.

"Because of NRMA Insurance, this man's life will be that little bit easier and his parents are so grateful to now be able to connect with their son whenever they want."

- Support worker from Queenslanders with Disability Network

In Adelaide, Junction Australia was supporting a single mum in financial hardship, working night shifts to make ends meet for her family. Two of her boys live with disability, including Autism and ADHD. The support worker said the pandemic has made life so much harder for this family.

To apply for NDIS to help pay for treatment and behavioural support for her youngest son, the mum required an expensive Autism assessment which she couldn't afford.

GIVIT funded the cost of the Autism assessment, and provided vouchers for groceries and fuel to give this hard-working mum a temporary reprieve.

"Thank you so much to GIVIT and NRMA Insurance for making truly life-changing impacts across our communities... When telling the mother, she broke down in tears and thanked everyone involved profusely - she could not believe there were people out there who were so willing to help her family. It may seem like a small gesture, but this was truly life-changing for this family."

- Junction Australia support worker

The impacts of COVID-19 and the cost of living crisis continue to be felt. The pandemic has exacerbated the stress on our most vulnerable, and the cost of living crisis makes life even harder to people who are already experiencing some sort of disadvantage.

The list below shows what's needed right now by organisations supporting people experiencing hardship due to factors such as the cost of living and the pandemic. You can donate an item or service, FUND an item or service, or donate directly to the appeal.