Stroke survivor turning to food bank for help

Joan worked full time as an assistant chef until she suffered a stroke in her 50s.

It was a slow road to recovery – plagued by anxiety and depression – the stroke left her blind in one eye and with limited mobility.  She was unable to work again.

Joan is one of many stroke survivors turning to the food bank for help

Now in her 60s and on benefits, she struggles to afford the essentials. She has had a lot of support from the Shoreditch Trust and is being supported by the food bank.

She said: “I don’t know how I would have managed without Hackney Foodbank. I live alone. I’d be hungry.  I need a winter coat but there’s no way I can afford one – money can’t stretch.

“Sometimes I skip meals or, what there is, I don’t want to eat.  Having tinned food is a lifeline but I really miss fresh cooked meals.

“It feels like the price of things goes up every day. The groceries I used to be able to buy for £20 now cost me £40 and it feels like things are getting worse!  I am worried about being cold in the winter.

Life has always been a struggle but now it’s even worse. Everybody can’t be alright – that’s not the world we live in and it’s often the elder people who can’t manage.  When you’re old you start to fret and worry what will become of you.”

Pat Fitzsimons, of Hackney Foodbank

Pat Fitzsimons, CEO of Hackney Foodbank, said: “Many of the people we support have disabilities – we meet a lot of stroke survivors like Joan. Benefits simply aren’t enough to cover the basics and, for an older person who is unable to work to be struggling in this way feels so very unfair. Illness shouldn’t condemn people to a life of poverty. We need a benefits system that guarantees the essentials.”

October 29th is World Stroke Day – a day aimed at raising awareness of the prevention and treatment of strokes.  For information, visit www.stroke.org.uk