Food bank caseworkers deliver life-changing help

A new caseworker team at Hackney Foodbank is helping to transform lives.

As food banks struggle to keep up with rising poverty in the capital, Hackney is on a mission to help its visitors gain financial stability and they’re getting great results.  Over 76% of the people their caseworkers support don’t need to return for emergency food within a year.

Hackney Foodbank’s caseworker team

Caseworker Manager Lara Callaway said: “In just over a year we’ve built up a caseworker team which has provided wraparound support to over 300 people.  As well as being hugely compassionate, our team is highly skilled and able to help with very complex situations.

“In addition to hunger, many experience problems with housing and benefits, we meet people fleeing domestic violence, older people struggling to keep warm and people with mental health concerns.

“The cost-of-living crisis has brought huge pressures for our visitors and facing those issues alone can feel very daunting, particularly for those with literacy, language or mental health barriers.  With our help, many move on to much better situations – such that they no longer need to come to us for emergency food.”

It’s not unusual for visitors to the food bank to be living in unfurnished flats, unable to afford basics like furniture, heating, school uniforms and food - things the caseworker team can often source grants for. They regularly refer visitors to an expert debt advisor and to other organisations which can help.

In Hackney many pensioners are eligible for Pension Credit but aren’t claiming it and the food bank is currently helping more people apply. They’re also helping residents with the admin that comes with the transition from legacy benefits to Universal Credit.

Ingeus, an organization dedicated to helping people improve their skills, employment, health and wellbeing, has seconded one of their caseworkers to the food bank team and she’s helping people with CV writing, interview practice and the search for work.

 Sarah, a local resident fleeing domestic violence, said: “.  I’m very alone – my financial situation is so bad. I receive Universal Credit, but it’s not enough.

“I used to go to the food bank and one time I met Lara, their caseworker. She helped me so much. I was referred to an organization who gave me good furniture.  I got a small sofa, a table, a fridge and a washing machine.

 “The things Lara did for me were amazing – nobody else did that for me in my life. She is like a living angel.”

 The food bank has three full and part time caseworkers and they’re keen to expand their capacity to help more people on to better situations.

 To support Hackney Foodbank, visit www.hackney.foodbank.org.uk/donate