High Peak Food Bank applauds community compassion during 2020

Paul Bohan, who has run the charity for over six years, described how since the start of the pandemic ‘people’s focus had changed and there was now ‘more compassion’.

Though he admitted ‘2021 couldn’t be much worse’ Paul said: “We’ve all been through so much this year but there are positive things - particularly the way the community came together.”

Increased donations from the public during lockdown allowed the food bank to send out supplementary food packages to those who suddenly found themselves with less income.

The charity provided extra packages for those who would normally not be eligible for emergency food due to so many losing their jobs and businesses or being furloughed.

Paul told how as the full scale of the pandemic became apparent the service began to see a new type of client.

He said: “Before lockdown a lot of the people we had coming in often had chaotic lifestyles due to homelessness, unemployment and mental health issues.

“But that changed immediately in March and we started getting people who were self-employed - we had a lot of people like that until the Government help schemes kicked in.”

Though Paul described the new demographic as typically ‘more resilient’ and capable of navigating the benefits system themselves HPFB had to increase the hours of its advice worker for its core group of clients.

Julie Collier - based at HPFB’s Buxton’s United Reform Church headquarters – engages with food bank users who Paul says lack the confidence to call Citizens Advice.

She helps with everything from benefits claims to personal finance.

The service has access to various schemes - providing payments to clear utility bills, money off water bills and funding of up to £2,000 for families with children.

As part of HPFB’s Zinc Employability service it runs several specialist programmes - helping those with complex mental or physical health needs and people recovering from drug and alcohol problems - which all contribute to its record supporting 45 per cent of clients back into work.

However the charity’s proudest achievement is a programme where employers take on people in drug and alcohol recovery in paid work experience.

They are given a job title and set responsibilities which allow them to list skills on a CV and during interviews.

Paul described how HPFB’s analysis of the successful scheme as the only one of its kind in the world had been approved by the University of Sheffield.

Looking ahead to 2021 the charity has applied for planning permission to convert Buxton’s old cattle market warehouse into new, bigger food bank and employment premises.

However it will also house a community eco-cafe with a wellness centre.

This Christmas the food bank will be providing Christmas hampers complete with toys - with age-appropriate gifts for youngsters - to families across the borough.

Its Buxton United Reform Church premises are now at capacity - so Paul is asking people not to donate any more food until the end of January - when the expense of Christmas hits hard-up people the hardest.

You can donate money to High Peak Food Bank at localgiving.org/charity/highpeakfoodbank/.

In these confusing and worrying times, local journalism is more vital than ever. Thanks to everyone who helps us ask the questions that matter by taking out a subscription or buying a paper. We stand together. Nancy Fielder, editor.