‘Now it’s cold, people choose between eating and heating’

The chancellor famously declared austerity to be over in his latest budget speech, but its impact is very much a daily reality inside North Bristol Food Bank.

Bristol24/7 visits for an afternoon …

A well-dressed man carrying a cup of tea makes his way across the Ebenezer Church hall on Filton Avenue and settles in a seat.

“Oh, it’s terrible here,” he says, striking up a conversation with a glint of humour in his eye, gesturing at the busy scenes inside the food bank one recent Thursday afternoon.

“There’s no caviar, no foie gras,” he continues, before bursting into infectious laughter, spilling a bit of tea into his saucer in the process.

He holds out a hand to introduce himself as Sal* and explains that he got caught up in the Windrush scandal and lost pretty much everything, which is why he is now having to visit the food bank.

“I went from having a good job, nice clothes and eating in restaurants, to coming here,” he says.

“I never thought I would see the day.”

There’s not a trace of bitterness in his voice. Sadness, and perhaps anger, at a government that forces people to rely on food banks. But most of all, a quiet determination that the circumstances won’t break his spirit – or the good manners that he holds dear.

Meticulously turned out and articulate as he sips his tea, Sal has lived in Bristol for some 40 years. He arrived in Britain in the late 1960s, like so many of his generation from Caribbean countries who were wrongly threatened with deportation in the Windrush scandal earlier this year.

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Read more: Demand justice for Windrush generation

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“I lost everything,” he says “My family, my friends, my home. All the compensation in the world is not going to bring that back.”

Referring to the food bank, he adds: “The people here are absolutely brilliant. It’s extremely humbling.

“There are times when I would have rather starved than come here. I was losing weight and I refused to go to a food bank, but then I was just so desperate, and they have been tremendously kind and helpful – they did save my life.

“It was hard adjusting, but it’s impossible to keep me down.”

Volunteers Peter Selleck and Emma Wall say that people are coming in quite desperate need

The North Bristol Food Bank – and several others across the city – is run by the Trussel Trust, a charity that works to combat food poverty and hunger. The doors are open from 1pm-3pm, but a small queue had formed outside from 12.30pm.

Manager Matt Dobson estimates it is the busiest day to date and says that demand is only expected to increase closer to Christmas.

The food bank has now been open for a good hour and people continue to come through the door to join the many waiting with their red vouchers – referrals from agencies and organisations.

Volunteers work flat out to speak to each person in term and go through things with them.

“Go and help yourself to something to eat and drink,” says one a smiling volunteer to a newcomer, who nervously shuffles forward.

There’s tea, coffee and squash on hand, as well as some leftover cakes donated by the café open earlier in the church hall.

As her supplies are carried over, one young woman sets to work, speedily filling a trolley and two big bags. “I’ve got to get this back and then do the school run,” she says, declining an offer of help with a smile of thanks.

“They are coming in numbers I have never seen before,” says Matt. “Now it’s getting cold, people choose between heating or eating.”

He explains that the Trussell Trust partners with other organisations across the city to ensure that it is there for people in most need, but also part of the solution to the problem.

“Our dream is that we do not have to exist and it’s important to not become part of the culture,” he says.

“We also post people to other agencies if we identity a need that’s not being met, such as debt advice. There is more than just food here.”

The atmosphere in the warm, cheerful hall is genuinely welcoming and non-judgemental.

People of all ages, from all walks of life could face a change in circumstances that leaves them in food poverty, yet a common theme is the sense of shame they feel at having to visit a food bank – for all, it is a very last resort.

There is also immense gratitude.

“There was a guy who used to be a manager at a big city centre shop,” recalls Matt. “He lost his job and had a family of four to feed.

“Things started spiralling, because he was the main breadwinner and, without a job, he couldn’t afford to pay for rent and bills, and feed the kids.

“We were able to support them with food, which freed up money for them to be able to pay the bills.

“He got a new job and came in last week with a big bag of food and a thank you card. He said when he was receiving food, his family loved Fray Bentos pies, so he wanted to donate a load to a similar family in need.

“It’s just in that stop gap where everything goes wrong – it’s so important to have people there for you.”

In the busy hall, 26-year-old Chanelle* sits by herself in a corner, bundled in a coat, as she picks at a piece of chocolate cake.

“I got myself into debt a few months ago,” she tells Bristol24/7. “I’m really ill and it affects me really badly –  I have recently applied for PIP (personal independence payment, which has replaced disability living allowance).

“I had three jobs before I became ill. I do find it really hard. I have grown up in a family where we have always worked, but I’ve been told I’m not allowed to work.

She says that currently, by the time she has paid rent and bills, she is left with very little.

“To now come to a food bank, I do find it quite embarrassing. But, at the end of the day, it’s what I need, not what everybody else thinks.

“I appreciate it, but I would rather go to the shop and get what I would normally get.”

Bags of essential food and sundries and given to people in need

In a small, well-stocked store room by the front door, volunteers Emma Wall and Peter Sellek chat cheerfully as they work their way down lists and efficiently select tins, boxes and essential sundries for each customer.

A man pokes his head around the door, he’s worried because it’s 2.45pm and the food bank is due to close at 3pm.

“Don’t worry, we won’t go until we’ve got you sorted,” assures Emma.

“I have seen a few people today, who have come for the first time and they really were quite nervous,” she tells Bristol24/7.

“I don’t know if it’s the move to universal credit, but we have seen a lot more people coming in recently. People are falling between the gaps – they come in really quite desperate.”

Peter agrees, saying that he too has heard universal credit mentioned a few times.

Now retired, he volunteers each week and says it’s nice for the social side, as well as being able to help people.

“I have heard people say that they have come from Lockleaze to here, because they are embarrassed to be seen at a food bank,” he says. “Your heart goes out to people getting food – especially when they have got children.”

‘Your heart goes out to people getting food’

The Trussel Trust is in urgent need of new warehouse premises in the north Bristol area to store food and supplies. The property needs to be around 250-300 square metres and ideally on the ground floor.

While the food bank has been inundated with generous donations for the Christmas period, it welcomes financial contributions.

Visit www.northbristol.foodbank.org.uk/for more information, details on items needed and how to donate.

*Names have been changed to protect people’s anonymity

Main photo: Volunteers Peter Selleck, Emma Wall and Steve Clark with Bristol North Food Bank manager Matt Dobson

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