With the cost-of-living crisis impacting people across the country, are people in full time work being left to suffer
There are more 345,000 residents in Coventry City, as of 2020, with 10 per cent of those qualifying for benefits. This figure reported by Coventry Telegraph shows almost one in every seven people are now on universal credit, with this statistic rising substantially every month since the beginning of the COVID-19 lockdown in March 2020.
As inflation rates increased to 13.2 per cent in September of this year, families across the country have been majorly impacted, leaving many making crucial decisions between heating their homes over winter and providing food for their family.
However, with the cost-of-living crisis affecting everybody, is the support available equal to all?
Mark Graham, development officer at Holbrooks Community Centre, said, “We offer a food supermarket, including fridge foods, canned goods, pasta, sauce and pretty much anything else people look for in their weekly food shop. The only thing is you have to meet certain requirements to be entitled to the food.”
Holbrooks library, Holbrooks, Coventry
“We’ve had nurses working 60 hours a week come to our warm space in need of food, but due to restrictions we have to prioritise those on benefits. It is an unfair system, and it feels awful having to turn people away because society thinks they should be able to afford it themselves.”
Holbrooks Community Centre offers a warm space for people of all ages and backgrounds to use electricity and heating, socialise and over all take time away from the stress of rising bills in their homes.” The project runs to provide a safe place for locals within the community to feel safe, but the concept will not be able to continue without further outside support.
A study found 1 in 4 nurses are stressed about their financial situation, and 46% of all nurses are concerned about their debts. This statistic shows the reality of full-time employment.
Name: Rachel Cunningham
Position: District Nurse, Rugby
Salary: £39,000-£45,000
“I’ve been a nurse for over 30 years. My children have moved out and yet i’m struggling now more than ever, but it’s my job to keep a smile on my face so that’s what i’ll keep doing”
Trussell Trust conducted a survey, finding that 17 per cent of people receiving Universal Credit needed to visit a food bank between December 2021 and March 2022.
For more information visit https://researchbriefings.files.parliament.uk/documents/CBP-8585/CBP-8585.pdf
By definition, a food bank is a network entailed to ‘help people break free from poverty by providing additional. Support to help resolve the crisis they are facing so that they do not need to use a food bank again in the future.'
The increase in needed support has grown rapidly with the rise of the cost of living, but the availability is descending.
Hope Community Project, based at The Ancillary Building, Clifford House 38-44 Binley Road, Coventry, is a charity which supports disadvantaged families and individuals around the local area. The project is known by various names, including Bill’s project and Caroline’s Hope Community Project. By providing support to not only individuals on benefits, but to families on lower incomes and vulnerable families, the Hope Community Project aims to enable everyone to reach their full potential. During today’s financial crisis, their support is required more than ever.
Bailie Watts, a 22-year-old, from Coventry, West Midlands has a close connection with the charity.
‘’Hope’ has been carried out throughout Caroline’s Project as it was my grandad’s legacy. It signifies the fact that there is always hope, even in people’s darkest times, there is still light. This legacy is something that has shaped Caroline’s work at Bill’s place. She is a beacon of hope for the community around her and she has worked so hard for the charity and continues to do amazing for the community.’
Miss Watts is also a regular volunteer for Bills Project. ‘The last project I was involved in is the Grub Hub. This was set up last March and essentially offered families a week’s worth of food for just £4, including tinned foods, fresh vegetables, bread and cereals. It’s a perfect example of the work they do to support the community.’