City families 'can't afford to boil kettle' because of energy prices
Hannah Worsley, project manager at Norwich foodbank - Credit: Brittany Woodman
Desperate people turning to the city's foodbank are struggling to afford making a cuppa due to soaring energy prices.
Hannah Worsley, project manager of Norwich Foodbank, said her latest figures show that between 600 and 700 people a month are now in need of emergency parcels in Norwich.
The foodbank is also supporting people through an energy bank which provides one-off payment towards gas and electricity.
Inside the Norwich foodbank warehouse in the Henderson Business Centre - Credit: Brittany Woodman
And those who turn to the charity boss and her team have harrowing stories of life on the breadline.
Mrs Worsley said: "The energy bank has really struck me.
"One lady said even if we paid £10 for her metre the family are still £11 in debt - even with the top-up she is still not going to have anything.
"I changed it to £15 and she was so relieved because it meant she could have a cup of tea.
"She was not even able to do something that simple."
Norwich foodbank project manager Hannah Worsley and volunteers Linda, Keith Clapson, Trevor and Pip - Credit: Brittany Woodman
Most Read
- 1 Two neighbouring properties go up for sale - and they both need some TLC
- 2 Vehicles worth £50k stolen from Royal Norfolk Show
- 3 Road closures revealed for Lord Mayor's Celebration
- 4 All you need to know ahead of the Lord Mayor's Celebration 2022
- 5 Most desirable places to live in Norwich according to estate agents
- 6 Street food restaurant launches unlimited wings night
- 7 Fine dining Indian restaurant named best in region at awards
- 8 'You owe us!': Furious holidaymakers demand compo
- 9 Primary school left without governors after mass walkout
- 10 Sign of the times: After 187 years jeweller Winsor Bishop changes name
The Trussell Trust foodbank has also been supporting a handful of Ukrainian families since Russia launched an invasion on the eastern European nation.
Mrs Worsley said: "We had an example where a Ukrainian lady came in with her child who was two or three years old.
Hannah Worsley, project manager at Norwich foodbank - Credit: Brittany Woodman
"She did not speak any English so she wrote in translation on her phone 'I am so sorry I am here. I will get some money as soon as possible. At the moment I am on childcare'."
There are a total of 180 volunteers at the foodbank which ranges from older part-time workers to students and those whose are retired.
A volunteer called Linda at the Norwich foodbank warehouse - Credit: Brittany Woodman
Mrs Worsley said: "Within the Trussell Trust network we are one of the busiest in terms of numbers being fed.
"But there are a lot in the north west which are extremely busy so we are now a bit further down the list from where we were.
Norwich foodbank in the Henderson Business Centre - Credit: Brittany Woodman
"There is still a concern we could get back to the worst days of Covid and the guidelines are still a little unclear. I think applications will go up even more."
A volunteer called Trevor at Norwich foodbank's warehouse - Credit: Brittany Woodman
Details of how to donate to Norwich foodbank can be found at www.norwichfoodbank.co.uk.
Norwich foodbank is in need of wrapped biscuits and puddings - Credit: Brittany Woodman
