William is a self-employed gardener. He has several regular customers but over the winter, bad weather and ill health prevent him from working and as a result his income falls.
His wife has a part-time job and they have two children at school. They budget carefully, putting money aside to get themselves through the winter period when they have a significantly reduced income. In recent years Child Benefit and Child and Working Tax Credits have been frozen so this income has not been supplemented. However, all their bills have increased and, despite reducing their expenditure further, after all their essential bills are paid, they have a very small disposable income to live on.
Their son Toby recently started at high school. Perennial helped by awarding a grant to pay for his compulsory school uniform items, including the school blazer, sports clothing and tie, which could only be purchased directly from the school.
Toby was soon placed on detention by the school because his homework was not fully completed and had been hand written, when it should be typed. As detention was after the school day had finished, meaning he missed his bus, Toby had to be collected from school by his parents. This incurred additional petrol costs as it is a 30-mile round trip.
It transpired that the pupils are instructed to take a photo on their smart phones of the homework from the white board. Toby didn’t feel able to say that his parents couldn’t afford a smart phone for him and instead was attempting to memorise the homework. He also hadn’t felt able to explain that they didn’t have broadband, a laptop or printer at home.
Perennial helped by awarding a regular child education payment from its Children’s Fund which provides the essential equipment Toby needs for school.
What is Perennial?
Perennial provides advice, help and support to everyone working in or retired from horticulture and their families during times of need. The people they help include: employed and self-employed gardeners, nursery staff, parks and grounds care staff, landscapers, tree surgeons and people working in intensive production horticulture.
Each individual’s circumstances are different, but following an initial telephone call, their contact with the charity usually begins with a visit from a professionally trained caseworker to help find a solution and offer support for their particular situation. Perennial aim to provide a one-stop shop to help its clients get back on their feet.
Perennial can:
- Offer advice on a range of social and financial benefit eligibility and support you in applying and claiming
- Provide debt advice and financial support, in times of crisis
- Help with training and educational activities for you and your family, including your dependent children
- Give support when problems arise with your employer
- Provide services for the disabled, vulnerable, elderly and bereaved
- Provide direct financial grants and help to find and apply for other statutory funding sources (including a fund for children of horticulturists)
- Offer advice on housing problems from temporary accommodation to registered care
When a problem occurs, the charity responds quickly and effectively to the needs of the individual concerned – at whatever time of life that need arises.
There is no standard answer to a problem and the approach is one of identifying the best methods of support and getting them into place as soon as possible.
All services are free and confidential.
Grants
Grants may be given for a variety of items, such as mobility aids, essential domestic appliances and transport costs to enable someone to keep working.
Perennial also provides financial help for studying or training, whether you are a student of horticulture or if you are horticulturist who needs to change career.
The charity's new Children's Fund helps children of horticulturalists with educational costs, such as school uniforms, trips, lunches and equipment.
If you know of someone who needs help, please contact Perennial today:
Perennial
115 - 117 Kingston Road
Leatherhead
Surrey
KT22 7SU
Telephone: 0800 093 8510
Email: info@perennial.org.uk
Website: https://perennial.org.uk/
Browse the Perennial profile on the Turn2us Grants Search
Please note: Names have been changed to protect client confidentiality and photo is posed by a model.