Man with head in his hand with toddler sat next to him As the cost of living continues to rise, we are seeing the direct impact on ourselves and, more importantly, on you – our customers.

We hear how worried people are feeling about the rising costs of day-to-day living expenses. We want you to know that we are listening, and we are here to help you. We are actively looking at different ways in which we can support our customers. 

In response to the hardships our customers are facing, we’ve created Trent & Dove’s Helping Hands Fund. The fund aims to alleviate hardship for our customers who are most in need.

The Helping Hands Fund has been set up to help you if you're experiencing unexpected and unplanned financial difficulties. This is to reflect that, regrettably, there is not endless funding available, and to ensure that the small grants or vouchers really do make a difference to your life. 

The support will not include any reduction in rent or service charges but is ‘a one off’ financial assistance payment. 

Once the fund has been fully committed no more applications will be considered until the following financial year. We will not keep a waiting list of those wishing to apply. Instead, an application would need to be made at the beginning of the following year.

To ensure transparency and accountability we have created eligibility criteria that you have to meet to be given financial support. Each application for assistance is considered on an equal basis and is means tested.

You need to provide evidence to support your application and you must be:

  • Named as a resident or occupant on a Trent & Dove tenancy agreement
  • In genuine emergency
  • Able to demonstrate that all reasonable steps have been taken to prevent falling into this financial distress
  • Have no open housing cases with Income or Tenancy Services such as ASB.

Examples of what the fund can be used for

  • Contributing towards essential white goods (such as a replacement fridge or washing machine)
  • Everyday expenses if your benefits are in review / have been reduced / suspended
  • Help with funeral costs
  • Help with essential medical / health costs
  • Help with paying bills and reducing debt
  • Loss of job / redundancy
  • New accommodation / change in accommodation
  • Emergency living expenses which include food, and fuel.

The fund is capped at £1,000 per applicant and is awarded via a mixture of vouchers, cash payments and purchases by Trent & Dove (such as white goods).

Each application is assessed firstly on eligibility and then passed on to Trent & Dove’s Helping Hands panel. We try to get back to you within one calendar month.