Foodbanks have been my lifeline there is no shame

As the WMN and its sister websites raise funds for those hardest hit by Covid lockdowns, Chloe Parkman spoke to a Devon woman diagnosed with cancer just before the coronavirus crisis struck

AWOMAN from Devon who was diagnosed with breast cancer shortly before the UK was placed into its first lockdown says she has had ‘a year from hell’.

The woman – who wishes to remain anonymous – says she had no choice but to reach out to a local foodbank for help as she was no longer able to work.

She said: “In the first lockdown I was diagnosed with breast cancer and had to give up work.

“I have worked since I was 16 years old. I used to be that shopper who would put food into the foodbank donation box.

“How can it go from one extreme to the other?

“If it wasn’t for the foodbank, I would not be eating.’’

The woman, who has been shielding for almost a full year due to the cancer diagnosis, says that universal credit referred her to the foodbank last year.

She said: “When I realised I would have no income, I thought what do I do now?

“At the end of the day, yes universal credit pays my rent but I still have my water and council tax to pay, which is £100 per month.

“When you’re only getting £202 and £100 of that is gone on council tax, and then you have got your bills, you are left with nothing.

“I have always worked and never thought I’d be in this position. All of the team at the foodbank have made it that little bit easier; it is not just food, it is the support and help.’’

The anonymous client says that although she is part of a support bubble, she lives alone.

She said: “I don’t leave my house at all unless it is to go to the hospital. I have been shielding since March. People don’t realise that foodbanks offer more than just food. It is that support.

“They have been an absolute lifeline and I wouldn’t be eating if it wasn’t for them.’’

The client says that the cancer treatment has made her a coeliac.

She said: “I am now a coeliac and the foodbank always cater for that.

“The food they give me generally lasts a week.

“They sometimes pop bits in for my animals too. They always go above and beyond.’’

She urges anyone who needs the help to come forward and ask.

She said: “There is no shame. It is all confidential.

“I think it is about breaking that stigma. Everyone always assumes it’s drug addicts or drunks, that’s not the case.

“It only takes one incident to happen – maybe the breakdown of a relationship – and then you find yourself needing help.

“This last year has been an utter nightmare, from needing the foodbank, to cancer, to treatments and not being allowed to see anyone or bring anyone to the hospital with me. People don’t see the other side of Covid.’’

Jane Bartley, 57, experienced first hand the harsh effects of the nationwide lockdown.

Jane used to work at Whitsand Bay Hotel. She said: “I’d had a bit of a tough year up until last February.

I’d lost my job, been made redundant, and had just separated from a five-year relationship. I’d been living in Sheviock and so I found myself in Millbrook.

“Six weeks later, we were in full lockdown. I knew a few people but not many.

“So there was the financial side of being at home constantly and just struggling on.

“Because of my age and the way I’ve been brought up, you don’t go asking for help.

“But with the lockdown, the mental health issues... everything was compounded. I’d fallen into debt with priority bills, council tax, water rates and accrued a massive electricity bill because I’m on storage heaters.”

In October, Jane came across the counselling facilities offered by The Peninsula Trust (TPT) – and now says she can finally see a “light at the end of the tunnel”.

During the coronavirus pandemic, The Peninsula Trust (TPT) has offered continuous support in its ongoing effort to help those in need.

Jane said: “I was put in touch with Jenny [one of TPT’s workers] and I went to see her after my counselling session, and was greeted by this amazing woman.

“The things they’ve offered, like Co-op food cards, has enabled me to free up some cash to enable me to pay my council tax.”

The Peninsula Trust is an independent Community Cooperative, with over 600 members, with more joining each week and is in receipt of Devon Community Foundation grants.

People don’t realise that foodbanks offer more than just food. They offer support FOODBANK CLIENT