Regular monthly and annual donations enable us to budget and plan our support, so we can be there for as many engineers and their families as possible.
And none of us should have to face them alone.
Crisis Support Appeal
Engineers and their families facing crisis urgently need our help. Please donate whatever you can today to help fund out life-changing support in your engineering community.
None of us are immune to unexpected crises.
None of us are immune to unexpected crises.
And none of us should have to face them alone.
I’m Carly, Head of Grants at Foothold.
I may have only been here seven short months, but in that time I’ve heard hundreds of heart-breaking stories from people in the engineering community, who've suddenly finding themselves facing devastating circumstances.
Carly
Head of Grants
I’m Carly, Head of Grants at Foothold.
I may have only been here seven short months, but in that time I’ve heard hundreds of heart-breaking stories from people in the engineering community, who've suddenly finding themselves facing devastating circumstances.
Foothold is here to answer their calls for help when crisis hits. We’re a lifeline, to ensure engineers and their families never have to face these challenges alone.
Why support our life-changing work?
Why support our life-changing work?
Every day, my team receive calls for help from engineers or their family members who are facing redundancy, struggling with their mental health, living through bereavement, coming to terms with a diagnosis of serious illness or disability, and more.
Circumstances that, without warning, could also affect you, or someone you care about.
Here are just some of the people who’ve come to us for help:
“It has become impossible for me to put food on the table for my family, meet my daily expenses, and pay my bills, rent, utilities and school fees for my children.”
- Mohammed
“I had a good job but was made redundant. I currently care for my disabled parents. I’ve been trying my best, but with bills and collectors calling I need help”
- Sam
“Things have been really difficult since my husband died. I have to get my oil tank filled before winter for heating, but I can’t afford it. I will be grateful for any support.”
- Janet
“My son’s care needs are quite complex, and we are really struggling financially. Each month we’re getting deeper and deeper into debt.”
- Deborah
“It has become impossible for me to put food on the table for my family, meet my daily expenses, and pay my bills, rent, utilities and school fees for my children.”
- Mohammed
“I had a good job but was made redundant. I currently care for my disabled parents. I’ve been trying my best, but with bills and collectors calling I need help”
- Sam
“Things have been really difficult since my husband died. I have to get my oil tank filled before winter for heating, but I can’t afford it. I will be grateful for any support.”
- Janet
“My son’s care needs are quite complex, and we are really struggling financially. Each month we’re getting deeper and deeper into debt.”
- Deborah
Help us continue to ensure no-one in the engineering community never has to face crisis alone.
How will I know I’m making a difference?
So far this year we’ve provided 779 grants to people in our community facing unexpected crises.
Every day, my team receive calls for help from engineers or their family members who are facing redundancy, struggling with their mental health, living through bereavement, being diagnosed with a serious illness or disability, and more.
“Foothold’s support is so much more than money: it’s knowing that they’ll always be there for you.”
For a long time, things were going really well. I’d started my own engineering company, and loved my work. But then, the financial crash struck – and I lost everything overnight. Things never really recovered, and other ten years later, I was divorced, struggling for income, caring for my autistic son, and on the verge of homelessness.
“Foothold’s support is so much more than money: it’s knowing that they’ll always be there for you.”
For a long time, things were going really well. I’d started my own engineering company, and loved my work. But then, the financial crash struck – and I lost everything overnight. Things never really recovered, and other ten years later, I was divorced, struggling for income, caring for my autistic son, and on the verge of homelessness.
"Foothold gave my family our independence back. I have no idea what we would have done without their support."
I’m not an engineer myself, but my late husband was an electrical engineer all his life. Things got really difficult when he died of a heart attack unexpectedly. Without his income, I completely lost my independence, and became reliant on my children to take care of me financially and medically.
“Foothold gave us our independence back. I have no idea what we would have done without their support.”
I’m not an engineer myself, but my late husband was an electrical engineer all his life. Things got really difficult when he died of a heart attack unexpectedly. Without his income, I completely lost my independence, and became reliant on my children to take care of me financially and medically.
People like David and Sarojini need all the help they can get, right now.
Even a small donation can make a big difference to someone facing desperate circumstances. Please give whatever you can today, and help them change their life for the better.
Support someone in crisis today
Support someone in crisis today
As an independent charity, we rely on donations from the engineering community to fund our life-changing work. In my role as Head of Grants, knowing I’ve helped give people hope when they receive financial support from us is the best part of my day. And if you choose to make a donation today, it could be the best part of yours too.
Any amount you can afford to give will help to make a big difference. I’d really appreciate it if you would consider making even just a small donation today. Your generosity will make a huge difference over the months and years to come.
Thank you.
Support we offer
Our support is designed to empower our community to thrive by improving their financial, emotional and physical wellbeing.
People we've helped
Find out how we've supported people in the engineering community through life's most difficult challenges.
Get involved
There are loads of ways you can support us on top of donating - from taking on a challenge event, to becoming a volunteer.