“I can’t even eat properly in fear of the energy bills”: Newham charity provides food vouchers to residents in need

As the cost of living crisis continues to soar, the Newham-based charity Skills Enterprise is distributing a support fund to local people.

Skills Enterprise, a user-led charity based in the London Borough of Newham, supports vulnerable and marginalised people working in partnership with Newham Council, community centres and voluntary organisations since 2011.

“What a wonderful Monday morning to come to work and be able to give out vouchers to people that weren’t even expecting it,” Karen Bryzak, Skills Enterprise staff member said.

The government announced in late 2021 that vulnerable households across England would be supported by The Household Support Fund, a £500 million support fund. The sum would be directly distributed by councils through small payments to support vulnerable households in order to meet daily needs such as food, clothing, and utilities.

As food and electricity prices hit a 16.8% increase since –. this January, thousands of families in the UK are struggling to make ends meet and try to seek support wherever possible. At Skills Enterprise, the help provided today was Tesco vouchers worth between £50–250 pounds.

A user who would like to remain anonymous said: “It makes a difference because this money helps me to get food. Everything is so expensive now.”

Newham, considered one of London’s most deprived boroughs, continues to struggle post pandemic and the mental and physical toll of the cost of living crisis continues to affect its locals.

Beatrice Piloya Can, was among the users who received a voucher. She has been struggling with serious plumbing issues in her council house and is finding bills increasingly difficult to afford.

“The water is dripping throughout and you just cannot control it with the boiler together. If you don’t switch on the boiler the water keeps on running. We haven’t been able to sleep for the last 3 months,” she said.

Apart from the problems faced by those with a low-income background in London, the cost of living has made everyday life worse. Beatrice is one of whom has been hit hard.

“It’s very serious, I can’t pay my bills. Now I can’t cook, I’ve got anxiety about cooking now or having a bath. That’s why I’m here to get the support I need. These are the things we are facing at this difficult time. Because I have to pay all these bills I can’t even eat properly in fear of the energy bills,” Beatrice said.

This mentality was shared by most of those who were at the site today. Another user, who would also like to remain anonymous, expressed how much her voucher would be beneficial to her and her family.

“It’s gonna help me a lot because it’s a time of crisis. It will be useful for my family because it’s difficult to pay the bills,” she said.