Down to Earth campaigns

We campaign to end #funeralpoverty by pushing for change in Government and the funeral industry. Run by @QSA

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[Quaker Social Action @QSA]

A new report by @SunLifeUK finds the av. cost of the attended funeral they track is at a record high.

Funeral costs can cause people to cut back on food and struggle with rent.

It’s why we set up Down to Earth, the only UK-wide support service for people facing funeral poverty.

[Down to Earth campaigns @endfuneralpov]

Thanks @fayecurran99 for this @prospect_uk article.

'Campaigners continue to call for better standardisation - for a law that demands more of its local authorities than that they simply bury or cremate someone. The QSA’s report spells out a 10-step plan'.
https://t.co/3nmk86yAxC

[Down to Earth campaigns @endfuneralpov]

Down to Earth is run by Quaker Social Action & this week is a perfect time to donate.

Donations made here https://t.co/ag3nWsaBdy will be doubled and help ensure we can continue our vital work supporting people facing unaffordable funeral costs and advocating for policy change.

[Quaker Social Action @QSA]

We need your help to take practical action against poverty.

⭐From 3-10 December your donations will be doubled by match funding.

https://t.co/RoOcWmCgaG

@BigGive #ChristmasChallenge

[Down to Earth campaigns @endfuneralpov]

Thanks @ScotHumanRights for listening to us & others & highlighting #FuneralPoverty in your full report:
'An emerging issue across many rural areas was funeral poverty, which directly impacts cultural practices around death' @QSA
https://t.co/Nu9bnmfwI4
https://t.co/yRmOymuk7N

[Down to Earth campaigns @endfuneralpov]

Research being conducted on behalf of @AmnestyUK into claimants' experiences of the benefit system.

It's crucial they hear the voices of people who have experience of the system, so they can campaign to deliver the right changes in the right places. @QSA
https://t.co/JMeRHZ05Ye

[Down to Earth campaigns @endfuneralpov]

A huge thank you to our clients who bravely shared their stories for this article.

As Pauline says, worrying about money when you're grieving 'just makes it worse' and the dual impact can be 'nearly impossible to bear'.
#FuneralPoverty #bereavement @QSA
https://t.co/gPh6Qzj2p0

[Down to Earth campaigns @endfuneralpov]

Know a young person who’s used a child bereavement service and wants to have their say? Our friends @CBNtweets are setting up a new UK Young People’s Advisory Group!

Find out more at: https://t.co/dStt9XY6iw
Applications close 14 Nov.

[Emily Harrop @EmilyHarrop10]

If you work with current or bereaved young/young adult carers in UK please take part in this short @MarieCurieEOLC funded survey looking at cross sector support at the end of life and in bereavement. Thank you! https://t.co/evgPC1RBFp

[Down to Earth campaigns @endfuneralpov]

We're delighted to be speaking to local authority staff who deal with council #funerals at an Estate Research event today, sharing our clients' and caseworkers' experience. We have also seen excellent practice, but that should apply for bereaved people all across the UK.

[Down to Earth campaigns @endfuneralpov]

'“Significant barriers” prevent people from organising council funerals, new research by Quaker Social Action (QSA) has shown, including “inaccurate information” and “labyrinthine” approval processes.'

Government must create statutory min. standards. @QSA
https://t.co/gPh6Qzj2p0

[Down to Earth campaigns @endfuneralpov]

Pleased to see the media highlighting #FuneralPoverty and the work of our friends at @funerallinkscot. As Ewan says, it often slips below the radar. We too have seen an increase in people needing help and we must all keep up the pressure for change.
https://t.co/tcwWOTkK1O

[Down to Earth campaigns @endfuneralpov]

The Fuller Inquiry's call for regulation is very welcome.
But this is not the first time it's been said.
2020: Competition & Markets Authority said it.
2001: Office of Fair Trading said the industry needed reforming.
It must happen before more harm is done
https://t.co/t5A1ftdAvi

[Just Fair - justfairuk.bsky.social @JustFairUK]

Could you be our new Human Rights Officer in South West England?

It is a really exciting time to join us in the fight for human rights here at home in the UK.

🕕 28 hours/week
💷 £36,000 per annum pro rata
📍 In or near Bristol (home-based)
⏰ Tue 22 Oct
https://t.co/V7DXZKztq0

[Down to Earth campaigns @endfuneralpov]

You're struggling to make ends meet on Universal Credit when your mum dies unexpectedly. You want a simple attended funeral but the avg. funeral director fee is nearly double what the Scottish Gov. gives you for this. How do you eat?
#ChallengePoverty #FuneralPoverty #RightToFood

[The Poverty Alliance @PovertyAlliance]

"I am one of many who fall into the growing gap between basic income and basic needs. The UK’s welfare system, once designed to provide a safety net, has failed..."

Please share this fantastic #ChallengePoverty Week guest blog from Zahada Safdar.

https://t.co/bNYqAt9osZ

[Down to Earth campaigns @endfuneralpov]

We're honoured to be speaking at this event on 15 Oct to discuss how #funeralpoverty can deny people their right to an adequate standard of living.

If the Gov's financial support for a funeral is inadequate, how can you pay for that and for essentials?

#CPW24 #HumanRights @QSA

[Just Fair - justfairuk.bsky.social @JustFairUK]

🛟We are hosting an event on the right to an adequate standard of living - a right we all have from the cradle to the grave.

Join us to discuss funeral poverty, social care, clothing, pensions & personal debt.

📅 15 October 2024, 14:00-16:00. Sign up 👇
https://t.co/fPTuPWLCSU

[Down to Earth campaigns @endfuneralpov]

Imagine being bereaved and then worrying you'll be evicted because you had to use your rent money to pay a funeral deposit. Despite being eligible for government support.

The Scottish Government must act now.

#ChallengePoverty #CPW24 #Scotland #FuneralPoverty #HousingRights

[Down to Earth campaigns @endfuneralpov]

This #ChallengePoverty Week in #Scotland, we're proud to partner with @CaledoniaCrem and @PovertyAlliance in our joint campaign calling on the Scottish Government to increase the flat rate of the Funeral Support Payment to £2,484.

#CPW24 #FuneralPoverty @QSA

[Down to Earth campaigns @endfuneralpov]

Thank you to @TimEagleHI for asking questions in the Scottish Parliament about the Funeral Support Payment, and calling for a response to the @CaledoniaCrem @PovertyAlliance and @QSA campaign for an increase to the flat rate part of the payment. #CPW24
https://t.co/R2WBL6ZMTC

[Down to Earth campaigns @endfuneralpov]

This is a brilliant new report from @hospiceuk. It really brings to life the heart-breaking, crushing realities of being in financial hardship at the end of life, for both those who are dying and those around them.
#Death #FuneralPoverty #poverty
https://t.co/iR5yBW24w5