Hello everyone, is there any kind of help I could get please, im generally really struggling cant access food banks ive had maximum in a year and I dont drive single with 3 children
Any help would be much appreciated x
19 comments
If you want advice, don’t have a suspicious looking account.
try r/UKbenefits – digital panhandling is seen as a no-no on reddit.
Just go to Citizens Advice.
Longer term, have you thought about getting a job?
I don’t know your situation but my parents were both unemployed the entire time i was at secondary school and they never needed foodbanks, I had free school meals, and at home mr brains faggots, turkey burgers and soggy veg cooked to an inch of it’s life in a pressure cooker.
Available help is dependant on where you live. Check your local council website for a list of resources, also check the citizen’s advice, Barnardo’s, shelter, and similar websites for a list of resources in your area.
Have a look at the free Olio app. You may have neighbours that are, food waste volunteers. You simply request, then collect if allocated. Bread / Bakery items are usually listed in abundance. There may be volunteers that do next day pick up. You could collect after doing nursery /school runs?
There are certain collections that you’re allowed to keep. Although those are often late at night, don’t know if you have someone to watch kids while they sleep.
You might need to walk a bit, or get a bus, but there is definitely free food out there for you.
What part of the country are you in?
Start by contacting citizens advice and seeing how they can help you with food banks and claiming all benefits you are entitled to.
If you children are in school – ask them about early help support
Contact gingerbread.org.uk – a charity for single parents
Gather anything and everything in the home that you can sell
Go through bank statements and see if there any subscriptions you can cut out or if you are spending too much in one place without realising.
[Trussel trust](https://www.trussell.org.uk/emergency-food) : If you need help, a food bank can provide an emergency food parcel containing at least three days of meals.
In order to get help from a food bank you’ll need to be referred for a food voucher. The voucher is then exchanged at the food bank for a food parcel.
Are you getting everything you are entitled to benefits wise? – [entitledto.co.uk](http://entitledto.co.uk)
If the children’s father is still alive are you getting child support / is he taking on 50% of the children’s care and expenses?
What city are you based in? – many charities are locally operated for this kind of thing.
Have you looked at your outgoings to see if there is anywhere you could cut back?
Whereabouts are you?
Try too good to go
Might be worth speaking to CAB about money management. You need to be able to prevent yourself getting into this situation, especially as its clearly not a one off if you have maxed out your foodbank visits.
The childrens father needs to step up too. Is he paying maintenance? Does he have joint custody? If you are struggling that much is the children living with him full time feasible?
Your not telling us something.
When I was on benefits I never once struggled, had plenty of money, bills all paid and even the odd takeaway.
If you’re more specific about your problems people are more likely to help. For example if you’re in debt or your money isn’t going far enough, or maybe you’re not receiving the correct benefits.
Stop smoking, drinking, getting your nails done.
Get a job, there’s lots of things you can do to help yourself.
The kids dad left you 5 years ago so the youngest is at least 5. You can work when they are in school.
Look into community fridge, support from your local family centre
Mosques sometimes have food bank service/community kitchens if you have one local to you.
Contact your local church, most have food banks and will be happy to drop food directly to you if you cant get there.
Your health visitor should also be able to support accessing the local food bank,including supporting with transport if required.
Local one stop or CAB to ensure you’re accessing all your benefits.
Early help from social services can support families who need a bit of help accessing food and resources. They are they to support you in meeting yours and the kids needs – this isnt for neglect or anything – it’s for families like yours who just need the world to step up and help them out again but, make your kids have fair access to things a lot of families take for granted, like food, housing, dental care, education and healthcare.
19 comments
If you want advice, don’t have a suspicious looking account.
Try [Gingerbread.co.uk](http://Gingerbread.co.uk) or [https://parents.actionforchildren.org.uk/home-family-life/work-money/financial-help-grants-single-parents/](https://parents.actionforchildren.org.uk/home-family-life/work-money/financial-help-grants-single-parents/) or [https://beanstalkapp.co.uk/article/financial-help-for-uk-parents](https://beanstalkapp.co.uk/article/financial-help-for-uk-parents) You have the tools to search online for organisations like these and others. You have to seek it out and apply properly though, support won’t just land on your doorstep. There will be people at all of these organisations who can help you fill in any forms or look for other sources of help.
try r/UKbenefits – digital panhandling is seen as a no-no on reddit.
Just go to Citizens Advice.
Longer term, have you thought about getting a job?
I don’t know your situation but my parents were both unemployed the entire time i was at secondary school and they never needed foodbanks, I had free school meals, and at home mr brains faggots, turkey burgers and soggy veg cooked to an inch of it’s life in a pressure cooker.
Available help is dependant on where you live. Check your local council website for a list of resources, also check the citizen’s advice, Barnardo’s, shelter, and similar websites for a list of resources in your area.
Have a look at the free Olio app. You may have neighbours that are, food waste volunteers. You simply request, then collect if allocated. Bread / Bakery items are usually listed in abundance. There may be volunteers that do next day pick up. You could collect after doing nursery /school runs?
There are certain collections that you’re allowed to keep. Although those are often late at night, don’t know if you have someone to watch kids while they sleep.
You might need to walk a bit, or get a bus, but there is definitely free food out there for you.
What part of the country are you in?
Start by contacting citizens advice and seeing how they can help you with food banks and claiming all benefits you are entitled to.
If you children are in school – ask them about early help support
Contact gingerbread.org.uk – a charity for single parents
Gather anything and everything in the home that you can sell
Go through bank statements and see if there any subscriptions you can cut out or if you are spending too much in one place without realising.
[Trussel trust](https://www.trussell.org.uk/emergency-food) : If you need help, a food bank can provide an emergency food parcel containing at least three days of meals.
In order to get help from a food bank you’ll need to be referred for a food voucher. The voucher is then exchanged at the food bank for a food parcel.
You can get a food voucher from a number of local community organisations, who can ensure you get the right support. – [check here for your nearest](https://www.trussell.org.uk/emergency-food/get-a-food-voucher)
Go to your local church and ask for help
Ask your family
Are you getting everything you are entitled to benefits wise? – [entitledto.co.uk](http://entitledto.co.uk)
If the children’s father is still alive are you getting child support / is he taking on 50% of the children’s care and expenses?
What city are you based in? – many charities are locally operated for this kind of thing.
Have you looked at your outgoings to see if there is anywhere you could cut back?
Whereabouts are you?
Try too good to go
Might be worth speaking to CAB about money management. You need to be able to prevent yourself getting into this situation, especially as its clearly not a one off if you have maxed out your foodbank visits.
The childrens father needs to step up too. Is he paying maintenance? Does he have joint custody? If you are struggling that much is the children living with him full time feasible?
Your not telling us something.
When I was on benefits I never once struggled, had plenty of money, bills all paid and even the odd takeaway.
If you’re more specific about your problems people are more likely to help. For example if you’re in debt or your money isn’t going far enough, or maybe you’re not receiving the correct benefits.
Stop smoking, drinking, getting your nails done.
Get a job, there’s lots of things you can do to help yourself.
The kids dad left you 5 years ago so the youngest is at least 5. You can work when they are in school.
Look into community fridge, support from your local family centre
Mosques sometimes have food bank service/community kitchens if you have one local to you.
Contact your local church, most have food banks and will be happy to drop food directly to you if you cant get there.
Your health visitor should also be able to support accessing the local food bank,including supporting with transport if required.
Local one stop or CAB to ensure you’re accessing all your benefits.
Early help from social services can support families who need a bit of help accessing food and resources. They are they to support you in meeting yours and the kids needs – this isnt for neglect or anything – it’s for families like yours who just need the world to step up and help them out again but, make your kids have fair access to things a lot of families take for granted, like food, housing, dental care, education and healthcare.