Erdington Foodbank

Bethany Community Foodbank

Castle Vale Foodbank

Paulette recently visited foodbanks in Erdington, Kingstanding and Castle Vale to speak to the amazing volunteers, as well as the people who are sadly having to turn to foodbanks for help.

At Bethany Community Foodbank, she met local people who are being forced to choose between heating and eating every day. The foodbank started by helping 90 users every month 6 years ago, but now helps a staggering 1,200 users each month. She heard heart-breaking stories from families with young children who are struggling with the rising cost of bills as their income remains the same.

The amazing volunteers at Castle Vale Foodbank told her that they are seeing nurses and police officers accessing their discreet service because they can’t make ends meet. And at Erdington Foodbank , several local people spoke about unfair sanctions being applied to their Universal Credit claims, coupled with low wages that were forcing them to turn to the foodbank.

The misery caused by the Tories is only going to get worse. The black hole in our finances that has been created by the Tories could see the return of austerity or the loss of even more vital services that help the most vulnerable.