Ellie's story

"Ellie is 16 years old and has been thrown out of the house by her mother. She is now living with friends. The Family Centre are trying to resolve her problems. She is technically not entitled to benefits & the Centre are trying to rehabilitate her."

Thank you to Ellie for sharing her experience, and thank you to the volunteer who recorded it on her behalf.

Ryan's story

"After divorce, the client gave house to wife and children. He worked for a golf company for 12 years having been a professional prior to that. He lost his job through alcohol and gambling related problems and the stress of being divorced. He then got house through CLASP and church and charities have furnished it. Getting support from Quaker House and for gambling problem."

Thank you to Ryan for sharing his experience, and to the volunteer who listened and wrote it down on his behalf.

Lesley's story

"Marriage broken down & I am on benefits, Three sons 19, 18 and 10. Eldest has chronic fatigue & waiting for Personal Independence allowance. 18 year old has a job on zero hours."

Thank you to Lesley for sharing her experience with us.

Sonita's Story

"Currently I am a full time college student studying social sciences to gain access to university. The reason I need to use the Foodbank was because my claim for Employment Support Allowance was cancelled with no thought from the Department of Work and Pensions on how I would survive. I do not meet the criteria for other benefits due to my age and my college course. 

As I suffer from depression I have also become estranged from my father, meaning I have nobody to support me."

West Cheshire Foodbank would like to thank Sonita for sharing her story.

Brian's Story

"I find myself homeless and without money at 50 years of age. Life was going so well. A BSc, MSc and Phd in Medical Science led to jobs with the MoD, Unilever and then to Research Director near Chester where I lived with my wife of 30 years and 2 daughters. Further directorships in Surrey then London followed. Then crash, I lost my job due to lack of funding. The government has destroyed R&D [research and development] in the UK. Family death, hit and run reduced legs to shrapnel and almost blind. Can't do job anymore. 11 months NHS waiting list for 30 minute operation. Wife affair, British judicial system forced me to leave and be homeless, bank accounts emptied. Housing solutions got me a safe seat, sitting in a chair with winos and junkies. Then a flat in a nice hostel, weeks to get benefits. Endless forms to fill in but I can't read them. At least safe secure and warm. No food in flat and no money. [Local Agency] said to come here. V. grateful. Need ops to get a job or 30 years experience thrown on the scrap heap. Very few R&D jobs left. Thank God for lovely people and charity. Will fight way back up. But time time time crushes the soul. We are not scroungers. God bless."

Our thanks to Brian for sharing his story with us.

Amanda's Story

"Amanda has recently split from a 19 year relationship. Her partner was in full time work. Went to housing benefit to claim council tax and housing benefit and was told to claim online. Amanda can't operate a computer but a friend helped her. She finds it difficult to understand forms. Would have been happier to fill in a paper form but was not given this choice. The jobcentre rang to confirm what she had entered online and asked her to go for interview. She was told she should leave her 12 and 10 year old children alone whilst she went to work. Understandably, she won't do this. Gone to doctor and has sick note for two weeks. No compassion shown for her situation - she understands that the government say women have to work but her whole world has just been turned upside down. Told she was fit to work 16hrs a week which would increase when children back at school. Will not leave her children alone all day."

Our thanks to Amanda for sharing her story with us and to the volunteer who took these notes on her behalf.

Michel's Story

"The reason why I am homeless is a family breakdown. me drink but no violence made prisoner in my own home my daughter who is 16yrs does go round with the wrong crowd and does drink arguments arose which made it a family breakdown. You don't think it's going to happen to you well think again."

Ou thanks to Michel for sharing this story with us.