Charities at Comet
Helping Family Fund help those that need it!
Family Fund is a registered charity that works towards an inclusive society where families with severely disabled children have choices and the opportunity to enjoy an ordinary life. Over the years the charity has come on in leaps and bounds. They are now the largest voluntary sector grant-maker to families and in 2007 they gave over 50,000 low-income families help to the value of £28.2 million. All funding comes from the governments of England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
The type of awards given depends on the circumstances, needs and requirements of the particular family involved. It can be anything from a new washing machine to make life that little bit easier or a trampoline to make life a little more fun, it really does depend on what would benefit the recipient the most.
As part of Family Fund’s government funding agreement they must ensure that the grants given are spent on the purpose that they are intended for. With this in mind Family Fund have implemented contract arrangements with suppliers rather than send cash to the families.
Over the space of a year more than £4m of the £28m given in grants is spent on all categories of white goods; laundry, refrigeration, dishwashing and cooking. In August 2004 Family Fund signed a 5-year agreement with Charities at Comet for the supply of all white goods.
In the early stages of the partnership Family Fund used to supply a ‘Dream Sheet’ to families. This illustrated 3 options for each type of appliance. The family could then choose which they preferred and return the form back to Family Fund. This turned out to be very time consuming for Family Fund and the families involved, generating numerous queries each week about models, size, colours etc.
In April 2006, Family Fund agreed to use the Charities at Comet Payment Card as an alternative method to awarding the grants. The Charities at Comet Payment Card is designed to be flexible and secure. It provides Charities with the opportunity to ensure that the money awarded is being spent on what it was initially intended for, whilst still giving the flexibility and choice to the beneficiary. Claire White, Business Director at Family Fund said:
“The switch to the Charities at Comet Payment Card has made such a difference to the way we make our awards. The Payment Card allows us to specify the amount awarded and what the money is to be spent on whilst still giving the family the freedom to choose which model they would like. In addition to this they can also add money to upgrade to a higher spec machine if they prefer. We also find the shopping experience empowers our families and removes some of the stigma that they may feel around receiving help from a charity.
I would definitely recommend the Payment Card to other charities. Administratively, the process is so quick and easy, and the cards are with our families in matter of days. The cards are secure and can be re-issued at no additional cost to the Fund if they are misplaced. Comet has also allowed us to ‘personalise’ our cards. We have separate cards for each type of appliance so that we can be sure the funds are spent appropriately and we also stipulate that a full 5-year warranty must be purchased with the machine. The support from Comet staff has been invaluable and they always go the extra mile to help us out whenever they can.”
The Family Fund has received numerous letters of thanks from families. A large number of these letters make reference to the Payment Card. Mrs Jones, of South Glamorgan said:
“We want to say thank you all so very much for the money that enables us to have a holiday and also for the Comet card we received. We have purchased a cooker with the card at our local store. It was great that we could choose our own cooker as it meant we could select one that suited out particular needs. It is due to your generosity that Olivia and her family are able to enjoy a more tolerable and productive life. This is to us all, and especially Olivia, a really big deal. Your organisation really does make a difference to children and their families. Once again thank you from all of us.”