Poverty and people going hungry, that’s something that happens elsewhere – certainly not here in the Highlands.
It’s a statement Lorna Dempster hears a lot, and one she would love to say is true.
But as food bank co-ordinator at Blysthwood Care in Inverness, she knows that’s far from the case as every day, people in the Highlands are struggling to put food on the table.
On a daily basis, parents skip meals to feed their children, while some are forced to choose between eating and paying the bills.
“Sometimes people turn up who haven’t eaten for two or three days and had to rely on no more than cups of tea to get them through the day,” said Lorna.
The Highland Foodbank, operated by the charity Blythswood Care, is part of The Trussell Trust’s UK-wide food bank network.
A small metal sign, discreetly placed outside a church hall on the city’s Madras Street, is the only indicator that here, help is at hand.
The food bank is open from Tuesday to Friday, noon to 2pm and sees an average of 10 clients a day.
Today, before the doors have opened, there’s already a couple patiently waiting for help.
“This food bank opened nearly nine years ago and there was a definite feeling at the time that this was something that wasn’t needed in the Highlands – people failed to realise that there was poverty on their doorstep and that perhaps their neighbours might be struggling,” said Lorna.
“I’d go to speak to meetings and groups and when I’d explain how the food bank was necessary, there was a real sense of shock.
“I think that’s partly because there’s a viewpoint that life in the Highlands is rural, pretty and rosy, but that’s not always the case.”
The Highland Foodbank provides a minimum of three days of emergency food and support to local people who are in crisis.
Sadly, the number of people turning to it for help is growing.
Laura Ferguson, Blythswood’s food bank development officer, said: “Last year, the Highland Foodbank helped 4,400 people and distributed 29tonnes of food.
“That number was up 1,000 compared to the previous year.
“The reason for that could be due to the fact that we have opened new food banks, so more people are able to get help from us.”
The charity recently opened two more food banks in the Highlands, bringing the total in the region from one to seven in six months.
“There are now food banks open in Nairn, Kyle, Aviemore, Dingwall, Alness and Thurso, and we are looking to develop more in Tain and Wick, both of which have quite high areas of deprivation,” said Laura.
“I think right across the board, the biggest reason people come to use them is benefit delays.
“But we are also seeing people struggling on a low income.
“My job involves working with people in local communities who have recognised a need for a food bank in their area and have contacted us with a view to setting one up, which is then run by volunteers and partners.
“There’s not a one-size-fits-all model we can role out as the geography of some areas has a part to play.”
Along with a spirit of generosity which all the volunteers and those donating to the food banks share, the word that best captures the atmosphere here is dignity.
“We see people from all walks of life and of all ages and some of them feel very embarrassed or ashamed and have a sense of failure as they haven’t been able to put food on the table,” said Lorna.
“We never judge or ask questions, but create a welcoming environment and are always happy to listen to their story.
“We never treat them as a number but a person.
“One story we hear a lot is that they feel this is the first time someone has listened to them.
“All sorts of circumstances can arise which can leave you with no money for food. It could be something as simple as an administrative error – one client changed address, but a letter asking him to attend a benefit meeting was sent to his old address.
“Because he missed the meeting, his benefits were stopped immediately which left him with no
money.
“When you are on a low income,
an unexpected bill which has to
be paid can leave you with nothing – that can make you feel as if your life
is on a rollercoaster that you can’t
get off.
“Our clients are aware that the food they receive has been donated by others and are very appreciative of this, and often, when they are themselves in a better position, will then donate food themselves.”
HOW IT WORKS
Blythswood works with around 50 partner agencies including health visitors, social workers and volunteers, who are able to identify people in crisis and issue them with a food bank voucher.
Clients bring their voucher to a food bank centre where it is exchanged for a three-day emergency food package.
“One misconception is that people perhaps spend their benefits money on non-essential items then simply turn up here and get a few bags of shopping, but that’s not the case,” said Laura.
“Clients are recommended to us and can only access the food bank three times within a six-month period.”
Where it is difficult for clients to reach a centre, a home delivery can be arranged.
“Although the food is donated, it costs us about £9 per parcel as we have administrative, fuel and rent costs to pay,” said Laura.
“We act as a signpost, and can put clients in touch with other agencies who can help them, but also want clients to leave here with more confidence and a sense of hope.”
A sense of hope, along with a great feeling of relief, is what Samantha Wheelhouse and her husband Ronnie felt after their visit to the Inverness centre.
“What they do here is lifesaving,” said Samantha, 36.
“The bag of shopping you get is wonderful and, as I’m a trained cook, I can make it go pretty far. Without it, I don’t know what we’d do.”
Samantha, who is currently unable to work due to ill health, explained that Ronnie, who has had a variety of jobs over the years, including that of bus driver, was latterly self-employed.
A change of circumstances meant he had to stop working and claim benefits.
“We are supposed to get £226 a fortnight, but last time, because of administrative issues, we got just £100, and £170 the fortnight before that,” said Samantha, who lives in Inverness.
“We still have bills to pay, but there’s not enough money coming in to cover them.
“The system is so complicated and if there’s a change it seems to take ages to get things sorted out, but in the meantime you have to survive on less money.
“I was recommended here by the Merkinch Work Club and at first I was nervous about coming, but they quickly put me at ease and made me very welcome. What they do here is fantastic, they really are life savers.”
The Merkinch Work Club helps those who are unemployed and looking for work, and offers help in all maters ranging from filling out job applications to benefits advice.
HIGHLAND SHYNESS
One of the biggest problems facing the charity across the Highlands is encouraging more people to come forward for help.
“Places like Dingwall and Alness are quite small and everyone knows each other, so I think some people are shy about coming forward as they might know the people helping them and feel embarrassed as a result,” said Lorna.
“But what happens is confidential and we are very discreet, which is why the food banks are often in places like church halls which can be used for coffee mornings, mother and toddler groups, etc., so no one would think anything of someone going into them.”
Laura said they’d even go as far as ignoring clients they meet outside.
“We are happy to build friendships with clients but would never place them in a position where they felt uncomfortable so, for example, we would ask if they wanted us to say hello if we met them on the street – we wouldn’t want someone to then ask them how they knew the people at the food bank.
“The irony is that once through the door, clients and volunteers often build good relationships and strong friendships.”
WHAT’S IN THE BAG?
Every person receiving shopping from the food bank gets the same thing, but the portions go up depending on how many people you are claiming for.
“We provide a three-day supply of non-perishable foodstuffs so that’s things like pasta, rice, fruit juice, sauces, UHT milk and tinned meat.
“These have been donated by
church groups, schools and individuals or, as in the case this week, by the Army who kindly donated surplus rations to us.
“But by the time they come to
the food bank, some clients are so
upset and stressed out that their minds have gone blank and they can’t think
of what to make with what we’ve given them.
“To help, we supply a menu guide which gives meal suggestions.”
For example, breakfast could be fruit juice, cereal and a cup of tea, while lunch could be pasta mixed with cream soup, or corned beef hash and beans with mince stew or tuna casserole for tea.
It’s not fine dining, but it’s filling and nutritious and desperately appreciated.
“We are always looking for donations and right now are very short of corned beef, UHT milk, rice and long-life orange juice,” said Lorna.
Donations for Highland Foodbank can be handed in to any Blythswood charity shop.
HOW A FOOD BANK WORKS
Non-perishable food is donated by the public.
Volunteers sort and pack food into emergency food boxes.
Frontline care professionals such as doctors and social workers give food bank vouchers to people in crisis.
The vouchers are exchanged for thee days of food at a food bank.
Food banks take time to listen and signpost clients to further support.
Contact: www.blythswood.org or call 078875 332696.