Leading foodbank charity the Trussell Trust funds new post to fight food poverty in Inverness with Blythswood and Citizens Advice Scotland
A new specialist in food insecurity is set to bring extra help to people in the Inverness area struggling to put meals on the table.
Funded by leading food bank charity The Trussell Trust, charities Blythswood Care and Inverness Citizens’ Advice Bureau are teaming up to deliver the increase in assistance through Inverness Highland Foodbank.
The collaboration, which will last two years, creates the new post to provide advice and support to people who can’t afford the essentials.
Any member of the local community will be able to speak to the new food insecurity worker Catriona MacDonald at the Citizens’ Advice offices in Union Street by calling 01463 237664. Other advice services provided by the bureau remain on offer.
The new food insecurity worker said: “Individuals face the difficult choice between paying the bills or having enough to eat – a decision that feels nearly impossible.
“This situation is equally prevalent in Inverness. My role involves assisting clients by conducting benefit checks, offering budgeting advice and addressing their debts, ultimately reducing the reliance on food bank referrals.”
Lorna Dempster, project manager with the Blythswood-run Highland Foodbank, said: “Last year we provided 2128 parcels to adults and children in Inverness.
“Nearly half of those referrals came from Inverness CAB and it was clear that we needed to find a way to increase the support that CAB could offer to people needing help.
“As Highland Foodbank is part of the Trussell Trust network of foodbanks, we could access financial inclusion funding and create this new post within the CAB.
“It’s already making a difference.”
Ms MacDonald cited the example of a client who visited the bureau to request a food bank referral, adding: “During a conversation about their situation we were able to identify that they would be eligible for additional benefits which increased their income by £93 per week!”
The Trussell Trust is calling on the Government to introduce an “essentials guarantee” in Universal Credit to ensure that it at least covers the costs of essentials and provides people with the dignity of being able to purchase their own food.
More information on the work of Highland Foodbank can be found at their website.
