Community workers from two Blackburn groups have spoken about how they are supporting families during the cost of living crisis.
Newground Together is working with a Blackburn foodbank to offer help that stretches much further than a bag of groceries.
Every Friday for the past year, Ian Whittaker and Karen Marsden, project officers with Newground Together, have joined forces with the foodbank on Oakenhurst Road in Blackburn.
Tracey Taylor is one of the first points of contact for anyone visiting the foodbank.
She said: “We’ve never seen a situation like this ever.
“The numbers we are supporting now are really scary. Food becomes a problem because of all the other issues people face. Some are just about managing and then a bump in the road sends them over.
"But whilst we can’t take away the crisis, we can help shorten the length of time you could be in it.”
Foodbank Operations Manager, Gill Fourie said: “There are more people in work who are right on the very, very edge. They might be getting a little bit of government top-up support, but it’s not enough.”
While the foodbank provides tailored bags of groceries, toiletries and more, Ian and Karen focus on the wider issues faced by the foodbank’s visitors.
Ian says the team have been assisting volunteers to help provide additional services
Ian said: “We knew people accessing the foodbank would be in crisis, and that they might need help to get into work.
“So, when a referral comes in, we start by asking what they need – tea, sugar, household toiletry items, fresh veg, etc. When we’ve done that, we go on to ask about work and whether they need employment support or help with debt or gas or electric bills. If they do, we start working with them.
“Through the programme, we help customers of the foodbank with job search advice, CV support and interview prep.
"We’re also helping them with mental health, confidence issues or debt, all of which may be barriers to them getting back into work.”
The foodbank operates with a team of around 50 volunteers, with around 20 people needed each day.
Karen with volunteer Tony at the Foodbank
Tony has been volunteering at the foodbank for seven years.
He said: “I used it once, about six months before I started volunteering. I returned with a tray of tomatoes to say thank you and never left!
“At the end of the day, someone is going to eat from my efforts. It’s important. I can go home and eat anything but imagine if you don’t have a cooker or food. Some only have a kettle.”
Kelly has been volunteering for 14 months.
She said: “The people here are fantastic. We do get lots of wonderful people reaching out to us and some local companies send volunteers on a regular basis too.
"The one we really struggle with is the warehouse in the morning. It’s an 8am start and it’s often cold then, so it’s a difficult spot to fill. If we could have somebody between 8am to 9.30am, Monday, Wednesday, Friday, that would be a dream.”
David found himself struggling after he left his job due to mental health issues. Having never claimed any benefits, he didn’t know who to turn to for help.
He added: “The people at the food bank understand everyone's situations.
“You can be in part-time work, you can be in full-time work, but if you are struggling with mounting debt – even if it's just a gap in between payments - they're there to support and help people.
"There's no attitude. Everyone's caring, and there's a lot of advice there, not just about the food parcels, but about debt management and housing. It's somewhere to go if you're feeling stuck.
Ian said: “Newground Together’s work with the foodbank is a great example of community groups joining forces to make a bigger difference in people’s lives.
“Our aim is to provide help that gets people off foodbanks and helps them to the point where they’re able to manage for themselves.
“We’d always encourage people in need to reach out.”
You can get help from Ian and Karen at the Oakenhurst Road foodbank between 9am and 2pm on Fridays. Anyone who wants to support the work of the foodbank, you can talk to Volunteer Co-ordinator Aamirah Ayub on 07971881576.
If you are unemployed and would like support getting into work, please contact either Karen or Ian on 07702373262 / 07860952355.
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