Will's Story

"I first used the Foodbank when the jobcentre sanctioned my benefits with complication in applying for hardship payment. I came to the Foodbank as I had no money or food. They helped me with emergency food on several occasions as my sanction went on."

[Volunteer Notes: Will's last benefit was paid into a friends account (at Will's request). The friend spent the money and that is why Will visited today. Possibility of job as barman upcoming.]

Our thanks to Will for sharing his story with us.

Trevor's Story

"On the sick for 30 years and I am unable to walk. I have a vertiba pushing in my spine. It is going to get worse. I have medical certificates but in February I failed my medical because for some reason my medical certificates were not available. I have been sending in sick notes ever since and they are taking no notice. I have been told to wait for a "decision maker" to consider my case but no one has done so. I have had £80 hardship payment only and I am having to rely on my family for help."

Our thanks to Trevor for sharing his story with us.

George's Story

"I have had no money since April, which was a hardship payment. They say I am waiting for a decision maker to decide if I am entitled to any money. They told me to sign on for JSA, but wouldn't let me sign on for JSA as they could see I was not able to work. Plus I had a sick note from my doctor saying I am not well enough for any type of work."

Our thanks to George for sharing his story with us.

Mathew's Story

"I attended my jobsearch program during the week (as usual). As my dates are sometimes changed (i.e. to different days of the week) on this 'one' occasion I actually attended on the Wednesday, a day earlier than I was scheduled to!! - No one pointed this out to me, and let me continue as I would normally. Because I did not attend on the 'Thursday' (the day after) I was sanctioned and denied my benefits from the 4th Feb. I have no second income as I now live alone since the death of my partner. I am without gas and almost without electricity as I am on meters. I am currently awaiting a decision on an application for hardship payments."

Thank you so much to Mathew for sharing his story with us. We really appreciate it.

Love, Joy and Hope? Joe's Story



Joe recently visited one of our Foodbanks for the first time. He had just been sanctioned because he was told to complete a job search on 25/12/13 and 01/01/14. He was asked by the Jobcentre why he had not looked for jobs on Christmas Day and on New Years Day and was then sanctioned for 4 weeks. He is now anxious he will be unable to pay his rent.

Joe was referred to us by a statutory agency that has worked closely with him for some time and has verified that they understand the account given above to be accurate. Joe has now applied for a Hardship Payment but will not find out what decision has been made about this for another 5 days. He said he felt disillusioned with the support provided by the Jobcentre: "I came from college and didn't know where to start [looking for work]. I needed advice but there's nothing. For young people there's no support. They [the Jobcentre] get me in and out as fast as possible." Joe has considered asking for advice on appealing against the decision to sanction him but was concerned about repercussions: "I don't want to appeal. If I do it they might sanction me further. I can't go on with no money". 

Our thanks go to Joe for sharing his circumstances with us.