THE MANAGER of a Bradford food bank has said that the cost of living crisis is continuing to push more people into poverty, while the number of people using its services is still more than double pre-pandemic levels.
Josie Barlow, of Bradford Central Foodbank, has called for changes to be made to the benefits system after arguing that the UK’s is one of the worst in the developing world.
Bradford Central Foodbank fed around 1,240 people last month, Josie said.
“People are getting less money and unless something changes, they will be left in a situation where they can’t physically survive,” she said.
“Pre-Covid, we were helping around 500 people a month. That April it went up to around 2,300, going down to 1,700 in May, and then averaging at around 1,000 a month.
“Now it’s going above that, which isn’t the direction of travel we want.
“Bradford West and Bradford East are two of the poorest wards in the country. Inflation is increasing and the rises in benefits haven’t gone up in line with that.
“Sometimes you see people who’ve got £50 a week for everything. It just doesn’t balance.
“We need a change in the benefits system, it needs to be more generous, to enable people to live.”
Bradford Central Foodbank is now trying to get to the root cause of why so many are having to rely on its services, after launching several new projects.
“We need to help longer-term and enable people to overcome obstacles,” Josie said.
“So we are now helping clients with housing and benefits advice. Unemployment is another massive reason for people being in a food crisis, so we’ve also reopened our Job Club, which is starting on Tuesday.
“That’s a 10-week course helping people to recognise their talent, write CVs and learn how to apply for jobs.”
The food bank is also running Renew 23 wellbeing café on a Mondays, between 1.30pm and 3.30pm, providing a safe space for people with mental health issues.
It is also operating the New Directions drop-in sessions on Wednesdays, from 11am to 2pm, to help people with addictions.
“Equalities Together are now sitting in on all of our sessions, giving clients advice, answering questions and advocating for them,” Josie explained.
“People shouldn’t have to be relying on food banks to feed their families.
“We understand that crises happen, but it’s starting to feel like a norm now, and we want to live in a country which provides for people in need.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here