Esther is a young mum of teenage children, who suffers from Aspergers. Though she receives support through term time, during the holidays she is left to fend for herself, without structure or guidance. She believes that one of her sons may also have Aspergers, but his intense shyness has so far prevented him from getting diagnosis or help. 

Esther's money had just been changed from weekly to fortnightly and she was totally unable to adapt to this on her own.  Swindon Foodbank were able to help her with food support, and we were also able to offer her some volunteer time at Swindon Restore.  

When we suggested the workshop at Restore her face lit up - she loves working with wood.  She will be able to come in on a regular basis and restore some furniture, giving her structure in her time, regular activity, connections with people to support her and food to eat.  It is a lovely picture of how the two projects are going to work hand in hand.

A couple suffering ill health have been struggling to get income to provide for themselves and their two children. Pollyann, who has been out of work since 2010, suffers from bipolar disorder, while her partner currently has problems with his knees which is keeping him from working in his construction job. 

At the moment their benefits are being reviewed, but in the meantime they have gotten into debt and had the bailiffs round. The situation is causing much stress for Pollyann.

When Pollyann came into the Distribution Centre this week, as well as providing her with food for the family which immediately lifts some of the weight from her shoulders, we were able to spend time with her just listening to her story and ensuring she was getting the help she needed to come through this difficult time. 

Many people on a limited income are able to cope thanks to the benefits they receive. However, this is often a double edged sword, as benefits can be stopped by the Government or by administration for all sorts of reasons, frequently leaving recipients with a sudden drop in their income. The following two stories demonstrate how differing circumstances can have similar effects. 

Anna is a single mother, and was just about managing to provide for herself and her 5 year old son with the help of child benefit and child tax credits.  Wanting to improve her circumstances Anna began to attend college, and was able to receive the ESA (Education Support Allowance), which made life a bit easier.  Unfortunately personal circumstances prevented her from attending college for a short period, and consequently her ESA was withdrawn.  Now months later she is still trying to sort it out and has asked the CAB (Citizens Advice Bureau) to help her with this.  In the meantime she is struggling to make her money work  and Foodbank is able to stand with her to provide some food during this difficult time.

Duncan was admitted to hospital due to manic depression, but whilst in their care other issues were discovered, and he ended up staying for several weeks.  This caused his benefits to be temporarily stopped, however when he was sent home it was clear that it would take a few weeks before the benefits were reinstated and he began receiving the money again. Avon & Wiltshire Partnership were able to give him a Foodbank voucher to ensure he still had food in the period whilst waiting for this benefits, and were also able to get a crisis loan for him to help with his bills. 

Ella has been receiving disability allowance for several years due to ill health, including epilepsy, which was thought to be under control. When changes in the Benefits system were recently introduced, the Benefits Office booked a medical check on Ella to reassess her current disability. 

Meanwhile pressure at home, including her partner being out of work, lead to Ella's home life becoming stressful, eventually leading to what appears to have been a relapse in her epilepsy. On the day of the Benefits health check Ella was actually at the hospital, having what was initially thought to be a seizure, which meant she missed the appointment. 

Despite supplying proof of the circumstances the Benefits Office stopped all but the very basic benefits because of the missed appointment. Ella and her partner were left really struggling financially to provide for themselves and their three children. 

Ella received professional advice, and the case was taken to court. When the case was finally brought before a judge - after nine months - the judge was outraged that the family had been left in such circumstances when it was clear there was a genuine reason for Ella not making the medical appointment. All benefits were reinstated - but this will take a further four weeks to be put in place. 

Swindon Foodbank has  been able to provide regular foodboxes to the family throughout this time. 

Derek was recently referred to Swindon Foodbank by Prospect Hospice. Previously living on the streets Derek, now in accommodation, was living on the edge of poverty, with no family to help. Then late last year he was diagnosed with cancer, and began undergoing treatment. Prospect Hospice are caring for him, while Foodbank is making sure he is well fed. But the greatest blessing is not so much the food, but the knowledge that he is not alone - there are people who will care for him for as long as it takes.