Christmas collection for Newcastle West Foodbank

With the amazing success of last year’s collection for Newcastle East foodbank, this year the Northumbria University Student Law Office will collected for the Newcastle West foodbank in the lead up to Christmas.

The foodbank is one of 400 across the UK that provides 3 day emergency supplies for anyone considered by the authorities to be in a crisis situation. This year, 21 students volunteered to run a collection for the food bank leading up to Christmas, where they can provide clients with a hot cup of tea, and friendly ear and signpost people to agencies to solve longer term problems. Agencies can include the Student Law Office.

Debbie Rook, Principal Lecturer at Northumbria University and Director of Student Experience and Support said: “Some of the clients the students have helped this year include a woman who came to the foodbank after her partner died and she gave up work to look after her disabled daughter. There was considerable delay in moving the disability benefits for the child from her partner’s name to her name and during this period she struggled to feed her family. The foodbank helped to feed them until the benefits were re-established.

“I have also met a number of ex-servicemen, who were traumatised by what they saw in Iraq/Afghanistan and are now living on benefits due to their ill health but are struggling to manage. These men were ashamed to have to use the food bank but felt they had no choice. I have met lots of vulnerable people who are on benefits and suffer from mental health problems but have been sanctioned for 3-4 weeks for missing a job centre appointment”.

The students have been collecting toys and books up to a value of £5 for all ages, non-perishable food and selection boxes.

“I have been so impressed by the students’ group work skills in organising themselves into different groups to work on a variety of tasks such as posters, social media, and collection boxes” added Debbie.  “Their enthusiasm is infectious”.

Last year it was a huge success, with the foodbank providing food to 1057 individuals before the closure of the Newcastle West Food Bank for Christmas.  Hopefully this year will be even better! Thank you in advance and Merry Christmas!