Hackney Foodbank - the women who inspire us
From the women receiving food parcels to the volunteers who give their time so generously, Hackney Foodbank is celebrating sisterhood this International Women’s Day.
And they’re calling for the Government to level the playing field and take action to improve statutory maternity pay, better subsidise childcare costs and ensure benefits like Universal Credit are more in line with the basic costs of living.
Pat Fitzsimons, CEO of Hackney Foodbank, said: “Every day we witness the coming together of remarkable women – those who make huge sacrifices so their children can eat (skipping meals, working long hours and multiple jobs) - and those who volunteer their time to help others. There is a strong sense of sisterhood here and a shared frustration that so many women are forced to turn to food banks.
“When people in caring professions like nursing and teaching can’t afford the basics, you know the system is broken. We regularly meet mothers whose statutory maternity pay falls well short of what it takes to feed a family and those who can’t afford to return to work because childcare costs are so high.
“This International Women’s Day we are recognising the every day heroics of the women forced to endure an unfair system and of our volunteers who see inequality and take action.”
Here are the stories of some of the women who inspire the team at Hackney Foodbank.
Marva Ledwidge joined Hackney Foodbank as a volunteer just a month after the charity was established and is the coordinator for their Stoke Newington food distribution centre. In 10 years, she has devoted more than 1,500 hours and regularly goes above and beyond (teaching food bank visitors how to shop on a budget and cook). Marva worked as a nurse before retiring to care for her husband.
She said: “When I started, we worked out of the grounds of a church in Hoxton and one in Dalston – there were shipping containers in the grounds and, in the winter, we would wade through mud and snow to get to the food.
“At the beginning, I would cook scrambled eggs with toast and beans for people who came to the food bank. Some hadn’t eaten for three days.”
In her spare time, Marva runs a breakfast club for homeless people and a coffee morning.
She added: “I do enjoy volunteering for the food bank. Even though I am a carer myself, it helps me survive. Seeing other people’s plight and realising my situation is so different; it helps to focus on what I can do for others.”
Marva’s grown-up children are also long-term food bank volunteers.
Marva Ledwidge - Photo taken by Pip and Nut
Kat, 45, worked in retail but was made redundant just before the pandemic. The single mum of two has an eight-month-old girl and a 21-year-old son. She is on Universal Credit but it isn’t enough to cover even the basic living costs. Kat regularly skips meals and rarely has treats.
She said: “I can’t go back to work yet because childcare is so expensive. I do everything I can to help my daughter learn and develop – I take her to drop-in centres, swimming and the library. She only has a few toys but I make sure she has food, play, interaction and stimulation – I’m determined to get it right.
“I often just have a piece of toast or cereal for dinner. I struggle to pay for the basics – nappies and wipes are so expensive. Everything has gone up in price. Universal Credit is rubbish – it just isn’t enough.
“The first time I came to the food bank I felt embarrassed but you soon realise lots of us are having the same struggles.”
Ayşe Odele, 29, has been volunteering at Hackney Food Bank’s food distribution centre in Clapton since November 2021. Before that she volunteered at a food bank in Barking.
She said: “It sounds a bit cheesy but I started volunteering after watching a storyline on Eastenders – one of the characters was accessing the food bank. Before that, I’d never considered people in so much need.
“It is so heart-warming – it’s nothing for me to give up a small amount of time to do this. I meet people from different backgrounds and massively sympathise. Some have had very difficult lives. The demographic of who comes to us is changing so much – it really could happen to anyone.
“I recently met a woman who had been regularly donating to the food bank with her boyfriend. Now he’s in prison and she’s one of our visitors, receiving support. Things can change so quickly.
“I’ve made some great friends volunteering; there are more women volunteers here and we have similar values.” When she’s not helping at the food bank, Ayşe is Products Manager for a ticketing company.
Ayse Odele - Photo taken by Jenny Matthews
Magnata, 46, trained in property management and civil engineering but works part time as a retail assistant because it allows her to look after her young children.
She used to live in Lewisham but was re-housed by the Council in Islington in a small flat that costs more than £1,700 per month. Her benefits no longer cover all the rent and the small amount she earns has to make up the shortfall and cover living costs.
The father of two of her children is an asylum seeker and is waiting for his application to live here to be approved. Meanwhile, he’s unable to live with his family.
She said: “I’m looking for another job and I’d like to move somewhere cheaper. My salary and Universal Credit just aren’t enough to pay the rent and the bills, let alone food. My hair is falling out because of the stress.
“I can’t work in my field of civil engineering because the hours are too long and I need to be around to look after the children.”
Nicola Hilliard has been a volunteer for the food bank for more than a decade. She used to work in the food distribution centres; giving food to visitors. Now she devotes around 30 hours per month monitoring the emails and ensuring the list of agencies providing support to food bank visitors is up to date. She said: “I do have a caring instinct – I think most people do.”
Nicola, a retired librarian, added: “When I retired at the age of 60, I didn’t really have a plan – I started volunteering for the night shelter and then heard a new food bank was opening.
“I love order! When I worked in the food distribution centre in Stoke Newington, I had a reputation for organising everything.
“I stopped in the food distribution centre when Covid came and really miss it. The volunteers are lovely and I made some really good friends. I have plenty of time, which is a luxury, so it’s easy for me to help out with the emails every day.”
Nicola loves Tai Chi, gardening and travelling.
Editor’s Notes
Hackney Foodbank recently marked its 10th anniversary. They are part of a national network of foodbanks supported by the Trussell Trust, working to combat poverty and hunger in the UK.
They’re currently giving out around 500 food parcels per week (each parcel can contain enough food for a family for a few days). They operate from a warehouse in Hoxton (The Florence Bennett Centre) and have distribution points across Hackney.
For further information or to arrange an interview with Pat Fitzsimons, please contact Jenna Fansa on 07812 245118.