Invisible Poverty MK

Meet Lucy.

Lucy is 32, a single-parent mother of one, living in Willen.

But nobody sees her poverty, and nobody knows her struggle.

Nobody knows that she lost her job in the pandemic and is now struggling to find regular work.

Nobody knows that she is struggling to heat her house.

Nobody knows that she must visit the local food bank to feed herself and her child.

Nobody knows that she is falling into ever increasing debt and that she lost her car, so must rely on buses which she can’t always afford.

Nobody knows that she is behind with her rent and her small daughter could be homeless soon if she can’t get a job.

Nobody knows that she can’t sleep at night because of all the anxiety and depression she must fight through each and every day.

Nobody knows because nobody really sees her. She’s invisible, and so is her desperate situation.

If you knew, what would you do?

Donate Now

Meet Preena

Meet Lottie

Meet Isaac

Poverty is now a reality for many families in Milton Keynes but we don’t always see the people and the children affected. They live in our neighbourhood but they’re often invisible to us.

MK Community Foundation's Cost-of-Living appeal aims to raise funds from businesses and residents to help support more people like Lucy.

How you can help

1) Make a one-off donation

Every penny donated will directly fund charities and projects that will support their local communities through the winter months of a cost-of-living crisis.

Your donation could help a family afford their next meal, keep the heating on during the coldest nights, or ensure that a child has a warm coat this winter.

By pledging your support to the cost-of-living appeal, you’ll help families choosing between heating and eating, older people at risk of poor health due to cold homes, children without warm winter coats, and many more.

Every donation, from £10 to £1000 will change someone's life.

2) Create your own fundraising page

By creating a fundraising page, you’ll be part of a movement to help shine a light on those struggling in silence. You could host a coffee morning, a festive jumper day, a sponsored challenge, or something completely unique.

However you choose to raise funds, you'll get that warm fuzzy-feeling in knowing that your page will raise vital funds towards the Cost-of-Living Appeal.

Start your page today and help make sure no one in our community is left unseen or unsupported.

Start your Fundraiser

3) Share this page with your family and colleagues

Help us spread awareness of this appeal and the challenges facing residents in Milton Keynes.

Over 8000 households are in fuel poverty.
More than 1 in 3 children in MK live in poverty.
43% of Universal Credit claimants are in work.
12% of neighbourhoods in MK are in the 20% most deprived neighbourhoods in the UK.

Together, we can ensure help reaches those who need it most, when they need it most.

Case Studies

Thanks to the incredible generosity shown to our appeal last year, we were able to fund local charities helping families affected by the cost-of-living crisis. Read more below.