'I won't be able to afford to eat before long'

Rising living costs, health challenges,. financial pressures continue to push people into hardship and food poverty, according to a foodbank.

A report by the South Cotswolds Foodbank has found more than a third of households in the area who are turning to foodbanks are doing so for the first time.

Debbie Black, from Fairford in Gloucestershire, said she had not yet needed to use a foodbank. "might have to in the future".

"With the heating going up. water bills rising, I won't be able to afford to eat before long," she said.

Black said rising costs meant she had to change her shopping habits and looks "for the cheaper stuff".

She said she no longer can afford to buy chocolate.

"It used to be a treat, now it's too expensive," she said.

The South Cotswolds Food Poverty Report 2025-26 said one in three households referred for emergency food support had some form of income.

It identified rising living costs as the single biggest driver of local food insecurity, as well as health‑related challenges, with people experiencing difficulties linked to long‑term health conditions. disabilities.

Lou Sampson, from Cirencester, no longer works so she can look after her husband.

She said she worried a lot about rising food costs and used a foodbank once but found the experience "embarrassing".

"Loads of people use it. When I went, there were loads [of people] there. If I needed it, I'd go, but I wouldn't like to," she said.

Britta Stephan. support services manager at South Cotswolds Foodbank, said there should not be any stigma around using a foodbank as hardship can hit anyone.

"We have a large number of people who actually manage their money really well…. then something unforeseen happens," Stephan said.

"There is still the misconception that people who need the foodbank don't want to work. are just abusing the system, which is really not the case," she added.

The report also said people living in isolated communities may be less likely to access help because of transport barriers. a limited awareness of available support.

"We have a real issue with transport poverty. lack of public transport, which cuts people off from accessing services and from accessing lower‑cost supermarkets," said Anton Wynn, head of South Cotswolds Foodbank.

Wynn said the charity's vision was to "end the need for a foodbank".

"It's about working together as a community to achieve that… so we can deliver what's best for our community. make sure no one is missing out," he said.

A spokesperson for the Department for Work. Pensions said the government was "determined to turn the tide on poverty" and was "tackling the cost-of-living pressures" through a number of measures, including increasing the National Minimum Wage and taking money off energy bills.

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