We have many different resources available here at Brixton & Norwood Foodbank because we recognise that ending hunger is not just about food. Our team are on hand to support people who find themselves in difficult situations and need help finding their feet again.
Richard Morgan is one of our current clients at the food bank. He needed extra support after giving up his job due to illness, and he’s been accessing some of the other services we offer.
“I got introduced to Jon, Fred, Dina and Sophie at the foodbank because the organisation I used to go to got closed down. I have major arthritis in my knees, so I’ve had to give up my work.”
Richard had previously worked as a chef in a busy kitchen, working 60 hours a week and often 12-hour days.
“I was on £1700 a month. It was good money and I was doing 60 hours of work on average, so I was full-time. I wasn’t getting home until like 1-2 a.m. It was quite an intense job but I was good at it, and then my illness just hit me so suddenly that it put me in a financial crisis. I had to give up my job, and then I was living on Universal Credit.
I wasn’t getting any rewards for my illness, and you guys helped me out immensely with it. I had to fill out a working disability thing which Fred helped me with and then I started getting a claim for that. Then he helped me with my PIP (Personal Independence Payment) and I got rewarded with that. For example, I had to go to an appointment for my PIP and I had to go to a tribunal. Fred from the food bank came along with me and took time out of his own time. So, the level of support you get here is undeniable. If you are in need, this is the place to come. They know how hard it is.”
The recent cost of living crisis has put an extra strain on people’s lives, and the number of people who need help from food banks has increased by 37% in the past year.
“Food prices are going up, off, out of control. I mean, I’m having to come here, but I’m only one of those people. I only come here when I’m desperate as well, so it’s nice that you’ve got places you can come when you’re waiting, for example, I’ve only got a week to wait before I get my Universal Credit. So, if I didn’t have this place to come and get a food voucher I’d be having to borrow money from my mum or my dad. People don’t like having to borrow money because you’re gonna have to pay it back. It takes a lot of stress and pressure off, so it’s made me healthier, being able to come to a place like this and not having that worry.”
Richard is just one of many people that count on support from us. What would it be like for him if it wasn’t here?
“If it wasn’t here, I’d be sitting down in my house, depressed, not being able to cope with life because that’s basically what this place gives you. It reassures you. It gives you that peace of mind when you can come somewhere and know that you’re going to get genuine help. The level of support you get here is beyond this description, it’s brilliant.
At the end of the day, you don’t get this kind of thing everywhere with every organisation you go to. So, in my eyes, I think you guys are doing a great job. You need the help and support, and long may it continue.”
If you want to help support more people like Richard, you can find details on how to donate and volunteer with us here.