What is cash first?

This Challenge Poverty Week we’re sharing insights on action Corra has taken towards fairer funding and creating a Scotland where no one goes hungry. In this blog we look at the importance of choice and Corra’s cash first funding to communities across Scotland.

The importance of choice

For me, a stack of pancakes transports me back in time to my 5 year old self. I’m in my gran’s kitchen on a Saturday morning anxiously waiting for the next warm pancake straight out of the pan. It reminds me of family, of connection, and feeling safe. It reminds me of feeling loved, of the joy of being off school for the weekend, and feeling content. It also reminds me of occassionally burning my hands as I rushed to put the jam on and eat them while they were still warm. Something I still to do this day…!

For many of us, food serves a dual function providing both sustenance and bringing people, families and communities together.  The eating and sharing of food can evoke feelings. Those feelings might be nostalgic or comforting, reminding us of a time in our life, a group of people, our heritage, or a particular place. In the same way, food can also stir up unpleasant feelings if we eat foods we don’t like or if we don’t have enough food to eat. Deciding what we eat and when, has a significant impact on our physical and mental wellbeing. Having choice over what we eat is vital to dignity, self-expression, nutrition and connections with others.

What is cash first?

Cash first approaches are an alternative to food banks or in-kind support. It provides people directly with money or vouchers. It offers flexibility for people to decide what their immediate needs are; that might be purchasing the essentials, buying school shoes for their child, or paying an energy bill. Cash first can be an effective and dignified form of support for people facing hardship. 

Cash first funding at Corra

At Corra, we increasingly recognise that human rights and action on equity are a golden thread throughout our work. Whilst food insecurity continues to rise across Scotland – we think that ensuring choice and dignity in how people guarantee their essentials is vital.

Since 2021, Corra has made 800 cash first grants to 600 community groups across Scotland. These 600 groups have distributed over £3million in cash or vouchers to people on low incomes or those struggling with the effects of the cost-of-living crisis. People have been supported to pay for essential living costs with dignity through a cash first approach.

The £3m comprises funds distributed on behalf of Robertson Trust, The National Lottery Community Fund and Scottish Government.

What do community groups think of Cash First?

Grant holders told us they valued the trust we placed in community groups who already knew the people in need and that those supported with money or vouchers valued the dignity this approach provided.

Small groups were well placed to reach people who are not able to access some statutory forms of support. Nearly all groups passed vouchers and cash directly onto families although, a few rural groups told us they delivered some requested shopping as no transport was available. 

However, there were challenges of distributing cash first funding. Some of the funding rounds had quick spend turnaround times and some groups struggled to distribute all the funds within the timescales set by funders. Some grant holders shared that it was difficult deciding who to give funds to and that it can be stressful assessing who is most in need – particularly when you live alongside those being supported. Many grant holders preferred using vouchers than cash as it provided greater reassurance in how the money would be used.

Lastly, grant holders told us that the funding did not go far enough to address the need seen in communities and more funding is needed.

What next?

We are committed to providing cash first responses to those experiencing hardship. This includes through the delivery of funding but also in influencing other funders to adopt this approch too.

If you’d like to discuss our approach or have a chat about cash first, please drop me a message at julie@corra.scot.