1 in 15 turn to food banks in Dudley

More than one in 15 people in Dudley turned to a food bank in 2023.

The Black Country Foodbank (BCFB) saw a massive 49% increase in children relying on their services during the summer holidays.

That’s a staggering statistic and a sign of tough times for many families.

A supportive partnership

This urgent need has been recognised by Healthwatch Dudley, who are partnering with BCFB to provide extra support for those struggling to make ends meet.

Katie Chiverton, project lead at Healthwatch, said: "Healthwatch Dudley understand that people who use Black Country Foodbank may not always have the time or resources to find the support and services that can help them.

"We are pleased to be working with Black Country Foodbank to empower local people with vital information."

Working to address issues

Keeley Jones, the deputy CEO of BCFB, emphasises the importance of timely support.

“We want to help people access the right services at the right time,” she says.

The collaboration with Healthwatch Dudley aims to uncover the root causes of food insecurity and address health-related barriers.

Community voices matter

Healthwatch Dudley will be reaching out to food bank users to discuss their situations and gather insights.

This feedback will help shape services to better meet the needs of the community.

Looking ahead

Over the next year, Healthwatch Dudley will be present at various food banks across Dudley.

They’ll chat with users to understand their challenges and what additional support could make a difference.

Do you need help?

Food bank use is at record levels, with as many as 9m households struggling with severe poverty and hunger.

If you’re finding yourself increasingly reliant on food banks or you’re finding it hard to feed your family, you can reach out to us – we directed over 21,000 people to food banks during the first six months of 2024.

Check out our guide to see how a food bank can help you.

It may also be worth looking into what support you can get.

We can help you with everything from budgeting to checking you’re getting all the benefits you’re entitled to, as well as advising you on debt solutions (some are free and there’s a fee for others).

All of our debt advice is free and impartial, and you can access it online 24/7 or over the phone during our office hours – 0161 518 8285.