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Real Stories

“The foodbank was a lifesaver.” Your support is helping us to change lives.

young family at foodbank entrance

Holly’s Story

“The people at the foodbank were wonderful, they understood and saved us.”

Having always worked and never claimed benefits, Holly, 29, from Chichester was bringing up her four-year-old daughter, Phoebe alone. She was determined to give her the best possible start in life, but when Phoebe suddenly fell ill, Holly was forced to turn to a foodbank for help.

The council flat that Holly was living in was in a deprived area with drug dealing and dog fouling taking place in the corridor outside her door. Holly was adamant that her daughter should have a better environment to grow up in and was offered alternative accommodation near her parents but at double the cost. As well as borrowing money from her parents to meet the cost, Holly was working part time. At the same time, she had been selling second-hand clothes online and the shop she was working in noticed its success and offered her a space selling clothes in their shop.

Under normal circumstances, Holly could just about scrape by, but when her daughter became poorly and had to spend three weeks in hospital, she was forced to close the shop temporarily. When Phoebe recovered, they returned home to empty kitchen cupboards, bills racking up and no income to support them.

Holly felt unable to ask her family for help again and after discussions with the local Citizens Advice Bureau she was referred to the foodbank.

Holly said: “The people at the foodbank were wonderful, they understood and saved us.”

Although Holly’s situation is still precarious, knowing the foodbank is there in an emergency is a huge weight off her shoulders.

 

 

smiling man - foodbank client

 

Richard’s Story

“Without the foodbank, I don’t think I would be here today.”

Having worked in the police force for six years, followed by 12-years in the Royal Military Police, Richard, 49, from New Milton, had always considered himself fit and healthy. However, this all changed when a chest infection quickly developed into a heart condition and he suffered from two major strokes followed by 19 mini strokes, leaving him unable to work.

Richard’s situation deteriorated further when he separated from his wife and moved out of their family home, where, unfortunately due to this change of address his Employment Support Allowance (ESA) was delayed. As a result of his serious heart condition Richard needs 35 tablets a day, but the cost of travelling to collect his prescriptions left him without enough money for food, and his local Citizens Advice Bureau referred him to the foodbank.

Although Richard admits he never expected to be in this situation, on arrival he was put at ease straight away. “The volunteers were fantastic, offering a chat and a shoulder to cry on. I suffer from depression as well and without the foodbank I don’t think I would be here today,” he said.

Richard looks forward to seeing his 10-year-old daughter every weekend but admits he has skipped meals on a few occasions so she can eat. He explains: “It’s a really bad situation that people have to decide whether they can feed themselves, feed their children or put the heating on. It’s a case of having to budget or having to go without.”

At the moment things are still tough for Richard, he’s on the waiting list for a heart transplant and will be on medication for the rest of his life, but he’s grateful that the foodbank is available if he ever needs some extra help.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3scrALoxT_8

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Claire’s Story

 “I don’t know what I would have done without them!”

Claire* has been receiving help from the Foodbank since November 2018.

“All my sick benefits got stopped. I didn’t know where to turn.. I had no money coming in. I struggle with mobility and I am waiting for an operation. I just can’t physically work, but the Employment Support Team keep telling me I’m no longer eligible for benefits.”

“They keep changing the dates for my appointments and won’t tell me when my benefits will start again, even though my doctors have told them I’m unable to work.”

Since getting in touch with Cannock Foodbank in November, Claire has received help not only with food parcels, but also gas and electric for the last two months. She states “I don’t know what I would have done without them!”

 

* Real name not used for anonymity reasons

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James’ Story

“The foodbank and Portacabin have always nurtured me and made me feel welcome”

James volunteers for us at Chadsmoor Methodist Church and has a fabulous story & reason for wanting to help others.

Sadly, due to family problems, James used to be in the same position himself and was homeless for several years.

He describes how the Foodbank and Portacabin teams always nurtured him & made him feel welcome and gave him support bidding for accommodation to get him back on his feet.

He has been volunteering for over a year now and helps to set-up, pack parcels, talk to clients and assist with fuel bank. James is an inspiration to us all!

Jane’s Story

“Without the service I would have probably not survived”
With ongoing back issues, Jane struggled to find a suitable job and then found her application for benefits was declined. She fell behind with her bills and began struggling with money to buy food and other necessities for her children. With spiraling debts, she was forced to sell many of her possessions, including her TV. Unable to look after herself, it became increasingly hard to look after the needs of her children. Sadly, in this impossible situation, she lost her children to social services and her mental health started to deteriorate.
Jane felt trapped in a downward spiral but thankfully, heard about the foodbank. Volunteers at the Chadsmoor Methodist Church were, in her own words “warm, supportive and extremely understanding.” They were able to provide food parcels and referred her to the Citizens Advice Bureau who gave budgeting & debt management advice as well as supporting her battle to get benefits reinstated. Additionally, during this period of time, the food bank were able to offer support with electric and gas bills.
Amazingly, Jane is now debt free. She is happily making moves to re-gain access to her children and put her life back together.
Jane recently visited the Foodbank team at Chadsmoor, to show her appreciation with a gift of £50.00. She wanted to show her gratitude for all the support and friendship they gave to her in her time of need.

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