I lost my business last year, then we waited months for any benefits payments. It’s been tough, juggling food, bills, rent. The food pantry’s seen us through.  

I’m back working full-time again (works in a warehouse), I grab as many hours as possible. But it’s still not enough.  

It’s been good being back at work, but we now earn ‘too much’– so the three kids don’t get free school meals anymore, so that’s an extra £30 a week to find. With this cost of living crisis, I’m getting more worried about food, each week the worry’s there. I’ve taken that first step, I’ve reached out for advice about my benefits, to see if there’s any more I should be getting. But the waiting list is long, so it’ll be a while yet.