'Don't be afraid or ashamed to use food banks'

More than 2,000 children are living in poverty in the South Cotswolds constituency, according to the area's MP

A mum-of-two living with a serious long-term illness is urging those in need not to "be afraid or ashamed" to seek help from food banks.

Alice, which is not her real name, said Cirencester Foodbank gave her emotional support, financial advice and essential food parcels after she received a life-changing diagnosis and an eviction notice.

Anton Wynn, the Gloucestershire food bank's CEO, said 35% of its users were in work. He called for the government to provide those in need with more practical help.

A government spokesperson said it was "determined to help people out of poverty and tackle the unacceptable rise in food bank dependence in recent years".

Despite commanding some of the highest house prices in South West England, more than 2,000 children are classed as living in poverty in the South Cotswolds constituency, according to the area's MP.

Alice and her family were evicted from their home just two months after she received her diagnosis last year.

She said the pressure of her situation was "overwhelming" and "almost too much to take" before she reached out to the food bank.

"They won't judge you or make you feel small, they are there to help," the 40-year-old said.

Alice claimed she initially felt "embarrassed" at the thought of relying on other people, but their assistance made it feel like a "weight has been lifted".

"[I feel] much better and much happier now knowing I've got their support and something to fall back on," she added.

'Multi-faceted' issues

In a recent report, Cirencester Foodbank found an increasing number of those with mental health issues and long term illnesses were asking for assistance.

It also said almost three quarters of men referred to the service were single.

Mr Wynn said the reasons behind food bank use in Cirencester were "multi-faceted", with one issue being that people struggled to access cheaper supermarkets in towns.

"There's a bit of a premium for people living in [rural] spaces whereby, to get to low cost food, you have to have access to transport," he said.

He added difficulties surrounding "low income seasonal work" in rural areas also contributed to food bank usage among working people.

Mr Wynn said he would like to see employers offer staff more information about benefits.

'Broken welfare system'

Dr Roz Savage, Liberal Democrat MP for the South Cotswolds, said child poverty was often hidden.

She said she would like to see the Labour government remove the two-child benefit cap, introduce more support from early years onwards and protect Personal Independence Payments.

"The most vulnerable members of our society are being squeezed even further when they just can't afford it," she said.

The Department for Work and Pensions said it was launching breakfast clubs, increasing the Universal Credit main rate above inflation and reforming the "broken welfare system".