Allow me to introduce myself - I am Simon Herbert and for the last 18 months I have had the privilege of being the Director of Finance and Business Services here at Langley. Few things keep me awake at night, if I’m honest, but for the past year the issue I want to bring to your attention has caused me sleepless nights. Our clients have faced unprecedented financial pressures prompted by the cost-of-living crisis and most seriously, as the colder months loom large once again, massive energy costs. My role means I have a responsibility to do all I can to ensure that Langley is serving its clients well in matters of finance and resource. But frankly friends, I need to ask now whether you will partner with us for this year’s Christmas Appeal, which is focussed on being a light in their darkness, literally raising funds to help our clients pay their utility bills through the winter months, to keep warm and to keep the lights on.

So, what have we done so far?

I personally wrote to each of ‘the big 6’ energy suppliers and appealed for support; we are a charity with finite resources, supporting vulnerable individuals of limited means. Not one of them responded positively. Our trustees agreed to commit £150,000 of general funds to provide a buffer for each client struggling to meet their energy costs, but you will understand that this isn’t a sustainable approach, not least because we already have a deficit this year. We are a creative, determined bunch here at Langley and decided that in our 65th year we would embark on some serious fundraising ourselves! With another of our directors I hopped on my bike and rode 65km to raise awareness and attract sponsorship. Another director undertook a 65 mile walk in stages between our services; a member of my team raised £1700 single-handedly through a triathlon, and others have completed sponsored activities as well.

I would love this to be a happy ending to a battle fought hard and won, but the truth is, we aren’t there yet. Take a look at the note we received recently from a client:

Our work holds so much value.

He knows he is in a safe place, amongst people who can help him to establish a better quality of life than he has known before. I don’t want to see his efforts dashed by the stress of trying to manage exorbitant energy bills. The energy cap is being reduced, so you may wonder why I am still so concerned? From October it will be reduced slightly but let me share with you some alarming stats from the Office of National Statistics, which keep this in perspective. The consumer price index for all domestic fuels for January to March 2023 compared with the same period in 2022 increased by 77% (in real terms, accounting for inflation). Domestic electricity prices increased by 57% and domestic gas prices increased by 116% over the same period. Even with an easing on the price cap from October 2023, the costs for the next period create a disproportionate demand for those who are dependant on housing benefits and have limited means, as our clients do.

Having to choose whether you can afford heating or to have a light on is enough to make anyone wonder if prison life wouldn’t be easier than ‘the real world’.

Some of you, like me, are celebrating Christmas as a time when Jesus came as the Son of God, to bring hope into our world, to be a light in our darkness. Others of you don’t share my faith but you know that helping Langley clients to thrive and contribute meaningfully to their communities is a cause worth supporting. I believe that too. My plea then is quite simple: will you join with us and be a light in their darkness this Christmas time? Every penny we receive goes directly to the appeal we make, and I can assure you that this one will make a difference to the lives of many already wondering how they will afford another winter. Thank you.