DURING the pandemic the need for food banks has increased – but not necessarily for those who have always struggled on low incomes or benefits. Reporter Hilary Scott tuned in to Innerleithen’s Community Council, where members got an eye-opening update on Peeblesshire Foodbank...

The message could not be clearer from Peeblesshire Foodbank manager Fiona Dalgleish – “If you’re struggling, you don’t have to keep it a secret. Reach out in confidence and we will help you.”

There is no doubt that Fiona, who took up the appointment of development manager in December, is saddened by the poverty she has witnessed first-hand.

Families are reportedly living in inadequate accommodation, barely able to pay the bills, let alone feed themselves or their children.

It’s the kind of deprivation that many people would perhaps not consider happening in a place like Peeblesshire, says Fiona.

But it does, and since February last year the need for the food bank has increased by 150 per cent.

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“It’s been really busy,” said Fiona. “Horribly, the biggest increase is for children, and that’s gone up a lot.

“So many families are using us.

“We’ve helped 416 families comprising of 950 people in the last eight months, that’s a lot of people.”

Although the global race to vaccinate people continues, the negative economic impact will be felt by many for months to come.

“With the pandemic, people have lost hours, they’ve lost their jobs, and I think when furlough ends it’s going to be really tough for people.

“Also, there’s the possibility the government might withdraw the £20 per week top-up on Universal Credit.

“Although the pandemic may be receding, the consequences are not. I want everyone to know that we’re here and we’re prepared to support everyone that needs a helping hand,” said Fiona.

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Prior to the COVID-19 lockdown, there was a limit on the number of parcels people could receive from the Peeblesshire Foodbank, but the current crisis means that has now been lifted.

“The limit was four per year, but at the moment, because people are struggling, we don’t really have a limit, we will help people according to their need.”

Asked if there was anything that has surprised her since taking on the role, Fiona replied: “The poverty in this area is really well hidden, some of the housing has been absolutely shocking.

“Some of the private rentals are really in a bad way, and a couple of them have been shocking.

“The level of poverty that people are in, when they don’t have carpets and lightshades, and their cooker is broken, and they’ve got little children.

“There are a lot of people that really need help, but they’re pretty well disguised.

“This area is perceived as affluent to a greater extent, but within Peebles and Innerleithen there’s pockets of real deprivation.”

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Fiona said that what people see on the surface in terms of materialism, is not all as it seems.

“Underneath that there’s a very different community,” she added.

The food bank is committed to helping people through this difficult time by putting meals on the table, but plans are in the pipeline to offer much more than a hot dinner.

Fiona explained: “Our plan this year, when the pandemic is over, is to create the food bank into something that’s a bit more like a help hub.

“So, at the moment, we just provide food, but obviously food is the solution to just one problem.

“If you’re in crisis you probably need some advice and some support as well.

“We’ve moved into a new building which has got space for our warehouse and it’s got a meeting space as well, so we’re going to be doing drop-in sessions with the Citizens Advice, as well as budgeting and debt management.

“There is the capacity to offer advice and emotional support, so you can have a cup of tea and just get things off your chest.”

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Desperately hoping to remove the stigma attached to using the food bank, Fiona added: “I think that people, once they’ve made the commitment to contact the food bank, find it’s actually really liberating to know they can talk to us, because they’ve got over that hurdle, and they don’t have to keep it a secret that they need a proper helping hand.

“We’ve got lots of volunteers with experience in counselling and pastoral support, and that’s the way we are going to go hopefully from May.”

One of the benefits from lockdown often touted is that people are able to save a little money, but leader of Scottish Borders Council Shona Haslam, says this isn’t the case.

“For families, the food bill every week has doubled, if not tripled, and has been a shock for a lot people. And also, with the bad weather, there’s fuel poverty.

“Householders have had to put their heating on during the day and peoples’ household budgets are so stretched.”

Mrs Haslam also highlighted that free school meals are available to people who qualify.

Innerleithen Community Council has promised to help those in need within the community by directing them to services available.

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Fiona added: “I know I have sounded very doom and gloom but one thing I have to say is, the support from the community has been incredible.

“We get so many donations, people turning up every day with food, and it really is quite humbling how much people care about their community.”

Residents of Peeblesshire don’t need to take off their rose-tinted glasses to see the poverty on their doorstep.

Their acknowledgement of it can be seen through their generosity of spirit, with donations in the overflowing foodbank crates of supermarkets.

There are big plans to expand the services offered by Peeblesshire Foodbank, but right now, Fiona, and her army of volunteers, just want to make sure no family goes hungry, and people reach out for help if they need it.

If you, or anyone you know, is in need of help or advice please contact Peeblesshire Foodbank: website www.peeblesshire.foodbank.org.uk, tel 01721 588654 email info@peeblesshire.foodbank.org.uk, 1 Silverbirch Studios, Cavalry Park, Peebles, EH45 9BU.