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Original poster

Does anyone know if there is any help to buy a cooker?

119 replies

lovedne · 25/09/2021 23:20

Hi,
I am a regular user, but have changed my username as I am ashamed to be writing this. Does anyone know of any schemes/charities that may be able to help buy a cooker? I began receiving universal credit 2 months ago due to leaving my husband and I have 2DC one of which is severely disabled. I have just finished university and qualified in a great profession but due to leaving my Husband and now having to be the only carer for (in particular) my disabled DC I can't work at the moment. I am not able to get a budgeting loan from UC as I haven't claimed it for 6 months. I received a grant from the family fund 6 months ago before my situation changed. The charities I have looked at require a letter from someone such as a social worker which my DC doesn't have or an occupational therapist- but my DC has been discharged. I honestly thought when I qualified I would get an amazing job and things would be so much better. I never imagined I would be in this situation. Things are so tight at the moment and I have never felt so low. Please don't suggest saving up (as I need a cooker now and it would take such a long time to save) or getting one on finance (my credit history is now poor due to my husband leaving and being unable to pay the bills). Thanks

OP posts:
TurnUpTurnip · 25/09/2021 23:22

My council does a white goods scheme but it won’t be brand new.

PinkFootstool · 25/09/2021 23:24

What's your profession? There are often funds available through things like benevolent funds for people in specific trades etc.

Drivingish · 25/09/2021 23:24

Look into 'floating support' or 'housing support worker' in your area. All areas work differently but there should be an agency/organisation in your area who can give you a support worker for a short time, eg 12 weeks, who can refer you for things like those schemes, write a supporting letter etc.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Benefits
SoftSheen · 25/09/2021 23:24

See if your council has a local assistance scheme. They might be able to provide a cooker or give you a loan for one.

endofagain · 25/09/2021 23:25

How old are your children OP?
If even one of them is under 5 yrs, you can contact your health visitor.
You could try the duty social worker via your local council website and they might be able to advise.

Babyroobs · 25/09/2021 23:25

I would perhaps try the Turn to US website and search for local grants. I know our city has a charity which give small grants for things like this so assume other city would have them too. otherwise could you look on freecycle, it's surprising what people give away just because they are having a new kitchen, they just get rid of stuff which is in good working order.

Kite22 · 25/09/2021 23:25

Family Fund is where I would start (though I see you mention them, they might be able to point you in the right direction if can't help you themselves.

You can also book an appt with Contact

But there are LOADS and LOADS of local charities that will support this.
Go to your local Children's Centre, or speak to your Health Visitor or your child's school if they are too old for HV.

FancySomeChips · 25/09/2021 23:25

I got one from a charity group on Facebook- it’s a cat charity who sell ebay thing and everything, got my fridge this way too. They cost £25 each, not new but absolutely saved us. I’m saving up now for a new and I will donate them back to the same charity when I can afford new (will take a good few months but want to pay it forward).
Have a look on Facebook marketplace too. Or Ebay. They had cookers for £40, I recently got one for my mum from there too.

Palavah · 25/09/2021 23:26

Try Emmaus
Olio and freecycle also sometimes have white goods

LikeACatInTheDark · 25/09/2021 23:27

@Drivingish

Look into 'floating support' or 'housing support worker' in your area. All areas work differently but there should be an agency/organisation in your area who can give you a support worker for a short time, eg 12 weeks, who can refer you for things like those schemes, write a supporting letter etc.
This.

I've just had a grant from a charity through my housing support worker for a new washer after mine packed in.

endofagain · 25/09/2021 23:27

www.turn2us.org.uk/

Original poster
lovedne · 25/09/2021 23:27

Thanks everyone. I have checked my local authority website but they don't seem to offer any help with white goods. They do signpost to various charities but I am not eligible for them due to the reasons outlined in my OP. However, I did see that I may be able to get help from a credit union which I hadn't considered.

Although I am qualified in my profession, I haven't actually practised it or worked in it as I am newly qualified so I don't think I am eligible for those sorts of schemes.

I just can't believe I have got myself into this mess. My cooker broke 6 weeks ago and we have been living off things that can cook on the hob or in the microwave. I feel like such a bad parent, it just seems to be one thing after another

OP posts:
Brollywasntneededafterall · 25/09/2021 23:28

Put a wanted ad on Gumtree.. I found one for free for my adult ds..

Original poster
lovedne · 25/09/2021 23:28

I will also check local small charities, and see if any of those can help. Sorry, I should have said. My children are 6 and 10 so no longer under any health visitor.

OP posts:
TurnUpTurnip · 25/09/2021 23:29

Do you know anyone with an Argos card? I got mine on my sisters and she allowed me to pay it off.

Original poster
lovedne · 25/09/2021 23:30

Will also look into 'floating support' as I have never heard of this. Thanks

It doesn't matter if it's used/old etc as long as it works. So will check free cycle too

OP posts:
Original poster
lovedne · 25/09/2021 23:30

@TurnUpTurnip
I don't have any family nearby and would be too ashamed to ask my friends. But thank you

OP posts:
PinkFootstool · 25/09/2021 23:30

And he's, Facebook Marketplace - usually something available for cheap.

Are you taking about an oven or a cooker? If you're cooking on a hob?

BoreiPuriHagafen · 25/09/2021 23:32

What's wrong with a hob and microwave? Our oven broke last year and we are managing fine with just the gas hob and microwave. My kids are about the same age as yours.

If money is that tight and you have a microwave it's really not a priority, is it? What is it that you can't cook in the microwave or on the hob?

MobyDicksTinyCanoe · 25/09/2021 23:32

You can get family fund grants early in an emergency. Contact them, theres info on the website about it.

Oblahdeeoblahdoe · 25/09/2021 23:33

Look on your local freecycle group. People give away all sorts. Hope you get sorted soon

ChequerBoard · 25/09/2021 23:34

Try Facebook and Freecycle plenty of people give away working appliances when they install new kitchens etc.

I've just fine this with a washing machine and will be doing the sane with a cooker and fridge/freezer when our new kitchen goes in at the stay of November.

Won't be new, will probably need a good clean but will get you going.

DxHxSx · 25/09/2021 23:35

Where abouts are you OP?

Original poster
lovedne · 25/09/2021 23:37

@BoreiPuriHagafen
I have a cooker which is broke. I have tried to get it repaired but it is going to cost the same as a new one. Only one ring works. My DC has autism
as well as various other disabilities and only eats very particular foods which require an oven. So has been mostly living off sandwiches etc. I personally think a working cooker is a priority which is why I have been trying to save the last 6 weeks but it has been impossible.

It's a cooker I need, just something free standing nothing fancy. Just something I can cook a hot meal.

I have been checking Facebook but seen nothing but will check free cycle. For some reason I hadn't considered there! Thanks

OP posts:
FabulousIAm · 25/09/2021 23:41

'Telephone Universal Credit as you may be able to get an advance to buy a cooker you can only ask for an advance via telephone or in person, not via your journal. Not sure how long you need to have been on UC but I know you can get an advance after a certain amount of time, The advance is just a couple of hundred though but will definitely buy you a decent cooker with oven.