Aberdeen is “suffering more than most” a north-east charity has claimed as it urges people to speak out during Challenge Poverty Week.
With the impact of the pandemic hitting hard and the expected devastation of the furlough scheme coming to an end, more families have are being forced to live below the breadline.
As a result Cfine has been taking part in Challenge Poverty Week in the hope it will raise awareness of the issue and urge the government to take immediate action.
Chief executive, Lisa Duthie, said the Granite City had been hit harder than most and said addressing the stigma surrounding poverty was vital.
“Aberdeen is suffering more than most with the added impact of the downturn in the oil and gas industry, people losing jobs and redundancies – the statistics are alarming.
“The local lockdown felt like the final straw – it was a really dark moment for Aberdeen.
“A lot of people experience shame and guilt and don’t come forward for help.
“I recently spoke with a mum who has less than £10 to live on a week for her and her son but she wouldn’t tell anyone or her family as she felt they would see her as an unfit mother.
“We need to address the stigma surrounding it.”
The charity has been running an Appetite for Change challenge last week where people live off of £2 per day for five days.
With supporters taking part to raise money for Cfine, the challenge also allows them to share their experience online of trying to stay healthy while living on so little.
As many people in the city experience job losses, they’re being forced to try to navigate the benefits system for the first time in their lives.
Cfine has teamed up with the Citizens Advice Bureau and the financial inclusion team at the city council to help people manage their income.
Ms Duthie added: “Universal credit numbers have grown astronomically and I think we’ll see more of that, especially with furlough coming to an end.
“A lot of people already experiencing poverty, about two thirds, are in work but on low income wages or zero hour contracts. These are the people who have been hit worst at the moment.”
Anyone who needs support or would like to volunteer can contact Cfine on their main phone number.
The food bank at Northfield Community Centre has also seen a massive increase in demand as chairwoman, Jacqui Innes, said the need had sadly “become a necessity”.
She said: “The pandemic has caused a lot of people to be financially lacking. It’s sad and it’s hard, I myself have used it. People are coming to us that were three, four weeks ago, in a job.
“People are apologising for using the food bank when they shouldn’t be. We’re just pleased that we’re able to help people in the community and not at any time do we look down on anybody.”
The food bank is open on a Thursday from 10am to 12pm but with increased demand the team has been staying longer and even delivering food parcels.
Currently they are in need of donations of non-perishable items such as tinned food, pot noodles and cuppa-soups.