On 22nd April 2026, Happy Tears Foundation attended the Household Support Fund (HSF) Celebration of Recipients at Leeds Civic Hall, a powerful event bringing together organisations across the city who have been on the frontline of supporting communities through the cost-of-living crisis. Hosted by Leeds City Council, the event recognised the collective impact of the Household Support Fund and created space for reflection, learning, and future collaboration
Recognising the Impact of the Household Support Fund
Over the past funding period, the Household Support Fund has been a critical lifeline for thousands of families across Leeds including the communities we serve.
Through this programme, Happy Tears Foundation received over £20,000 in funding, enabling us to:
- Distribute essential food parcels to families facing financial hardship
- Provide fuel vouchers to households struggling with rising energy costs
- Support vulnerable individuals, including refugees, low-income families, and those at risk of crisis
This funding has directly contributed to stabilising households and reducing immediate hardship for many of the 5,000+ beneficiaries we support annually.
A Space for Connection and Collaboration
The event brought together a wide range of organisations across the third sector, including:
- Community support services
- Health and wellbeing organisations
- Financial inclusion providers
- Cultural and specialist support groups
Through networking sessions and exhibition stalls, we connected with organisations such as:
- Money Information Centre
- Forum Central
- Sikh Elders Service
- BME Dementia Service
- Being You Leeds
These interactions are vital in strengthening partnerships, improving referral pathways, and ensuring that communities receive holistic, joined-up support.
Looking Ahead: What Comes Next
As the Household Support Fund programme comes to an end, a key focus of the event was outlining what funding will replace it.
This forward-looking approach is essential. For organisations like ours, continuity of support is critical — the need in our communities has not decreased.
We welcomed the opportunity to:
- Gain early insight into upcoming funding opportunities
- Understand how support will evolve
- Position Happy Tears Foundation to continue delivering high-impact services
Why This Matters for Our Community
The reality is clear: many families are still facing significant financial pressure.
Funding like the Household Support Fund doesn’t just provide short-term relief — it creates breathing space, dignity, and stability for those who need it most.
At Happy Tears Foundation, we remain committed to:
- Continuing our food and fuel support programmes
- Expanding our reach to underserved communities
- Working in partnership with funders and organisations across Leeds
Final Reflections
We would like to thank Leeds City Council and the Household Support Fund team for:
- Their investment in grassroots organisations
- Their trust in our ability to deliver impact
- Creating spaces like this event to celebrate and strengthen the sector
This event was not just a celebration — it was a reminder of what is possible when funding, community organisations, and local partnerships align around a shared mission.
What’s Next for Happy Tears Foundation
As we move forward, we are actively exploring new funding streams to ensure we can continue supporting families in crisis.
If you would like to partner with us, fund our work, or learn more, please get in touch.
