Patricia's Story

"Single person has been in a 3 bedroom house for 19 years. Would like to swap but has £1000 rent arrears so can't go on the list. Pays £60 out of benefits (ESA) every two weeks. No clear way out of this. Also had bailiff charges for council tax arrears. If client was allowed to swap, the rent would be less and she could pay off arrears."

Thank you so much to Patricia for sharing her story with us.

Mary's Story

"My internet provider was TalkTalk and I had to change my passcode after it was hacked. I am receiving Income Support and Child Tax Credit and when I telephoned to inform the Benefits Agency they told me that I had notified them too late and that my benefits would be late and that this would cause an overpayment which will have to be repaid."

Thank you for sharing this with us Mary.

Alun's Story

"Looking for a job and I am on Universal Credit but I have had no money for five weeks"

Thanks to Alun for sharing this with us.

Gemma's Story

"On the 5th October I was notified that my Child Tax Credits would stop. I would usually get £52 per week on a Monday which I would use to buy groceries and pay bills. I am an unemployed single parent of a 4 and a half year old child so I rely on this money and live week to week. HMRC claim I did not renew my tax credit claim on time, which I dispute and therefore making a 'late renewal' means I now have to wait at least two weeks for any payments. I have all correspondence from HMRC which confirms that I did everything I should within the time limits."

Thank you so much to Gemma for sharing her circumstances with us.

Gareth's Story - Not "Fit For Work"

"Client has lived rough for 9 months without benefit - did do some work. His GP signed him as unfit to work after 2nd stroke but has been assessed as 'fit to work'. Has appealed (filled in 52 sheets and took 2hrs with help!) Hasn't had any money since mid-December but has come here for the first time today as feels can't continue to ask friends for support."

Thank you to Gareth for sharing this with us and to the volunteer who recorded his story.

Jacob's Story

"Because my employer has not paid me for the last two months I quit. And as I am 250+ miles from family I have nobody to turn to for help. I am ever so grateful for the help I'm being given today. Many thanks."

Thank you so much to Jacob for sharig this with us.

Harry's Story

"End of 2014, borrowed £200 from someone. Paid some back but, no receipts, then they want more next time. He said others were threatening him (loan shark) so must get money. Went to his mothers and threatened to take house to pieces and torch car. Nearly at an end. He has paid several thousand pounds. Will contact illegal money lending team after I give him the info."

Thank you so much to Harry for sharing his experience with us and to the volunteer who listened.

Sean's Story: "No food except for friends sharing with me yesterday"

"On a zero hours contract and getting hardly any work. Getting into debt as a result. Having to wait 10 days more for benefits. Debt counselling from CAB who found I had no benefits and issued a voucher. No food except for friends sharing with me yesterday."

Thanks to everyone who shares why they need emergency food from us.

A meeting of minds...

This week, our Chair of Trustees, Rev. Christine Jones attended an event where we had the opportunity to reflect on what we need to do to tackle poverty. Below is a summary of that reflection.

"I was drawn to become involved with Foodbank because I have a professional background in food education and care about the life-giving, community-building capacity associated with the growing, cooking and preparing of fresh foods. But over the last three years I have spent with Foodbank, through my conversations with those involved, I have become increasingly concerned about issues relating to the crisis model we operate:

- the stigma associated with a red voucher

- requiring that people in crisis situations go from ‘pillar to post’ to receive food

- the vulnerability of volunteers listening to stories of hardship

- the lack of alternative options for people with complex and enduring needs

- the loss, across our society, of the skills and understanding needed to create a meal from the foods in the crisis bag, as well as the need for cooking equipment

- and the way that charitable models often keep people in crisis in a subservient role.

Over 3 years, West Cheshire Foodbank has provided enough food for 14,000 people to eat properly for three days. But for me, there is an enduring sense of a waste of human life that so many people have little option but to rely on charity to meet their needs. It is these concerns that shape my reflection regarding ‘ What we need to do to tackle poverty’.

I believe the starting place is important. There is a real need to listen to people living in poverty as a priority. ‘Anything about us, without us is not for us’  is the strap line for a model of listening which has been pioneered by the ‘Poverty Truth Commission’ in Glasgow. The approach of the PTC is to share stories in ways which build trust and embrace people struggling in poverty working alongside key decision-makers. This is the starting place for shaping response to actual need. In seeking to tackle poverty, I would endeavor to establish inclusive, trusting relationships where people and organisations are encouraged to work collaboratively in their local communities. Many urban high streets have lived with decline in recent years. Central to those communities are empty shops which stand as places where new life could be generated through the sharing of common tasks. I believe it is essential to take grass-roots approaches to community building which embrace a wider participation. In really listening to the experts who live with poverty, resource could then be re-directed and support provided within communities where neighbours will work together.

West Cheshire Foodbank is endeavoring to involve people struggling with poverty with every aspect of the operation and to learn from this expertise. In seeking an exit strategy, WCFB will be working with Edge Hill University to build the capacity of volunteers and explore whether new sustainable initiatives can be established around cooking, growing and be-friending. We also hope to explore the value of replacing the warehouse and associated costs through establishing local community shops. At a local government level, we will also continue to support Cheshire West and Chester Council who have agreed to establish a Poverty Truth Commission in West Cheshire. In and throughout any development, and working collaboratively with partner organisations, our firm commitment is to develop relationships which genuinely empower people living in poverty."

A "Meeting of Minds" was coordinated by the Institution for Public Policy and Professional Practice at Edge Hill University, The Centre for Local Economic Strategy and the Webb Memorial Trust. If you have any comments specifically relating to what we have shared above please email Alec Spencer: devofficer@westcheshire.foodbank.org.uk. For general inquiries please email info@westcheshire.foodbank.org.uk or call 0151 355 7730.