Ormskirk Foodbank: 2019

Sincere thanks from the volunteers at Ormskirk Foodbank to everyone who donated food and money in the weeks running up to Christmas.

We had a magnificent response to our collection days from the customers of Tesco in Burscough, and donations from many local schools, churches, businesses & other organisations. In addition, we were touched by the kindness of so many people who arrived at New Church House with bags of essentials and seasonal extras.

Your donations have arrived just in time. With Christmas only a few weeks away, the Trussell Trust is concerned new figures from December 2018, taken alongside the increase in food bank parcels needed so far this year, suggest more people than ever will need a food bank’s help.

More people than ever expected to need a food bank ahead of Christmas

Struggling with insolvency

Money Box

For decades, Stoke-on-Trent was powered by industry, with tens of thousands working in mining and pottery. But when the mines and factories closed, generations of people were left out of work. For some, not working became a culture that stuck.

But that's not the only reason why Stoke is the insolvency capital on England and Wales. The average wage in the area is £5,000 less than the national average, plus there are low levels of literacy, numeracy and IT skills. Poverty and poor health have helped reinforce financial exclusion, trapping many in a spiral of debt and deprivation which they can't get out of.

Now the North Staffordshire Financial Inclusion Group is on a five-year mission to eradicate Stoke's debt issues. It plans to work with schools to get personal finance on the curriculum and actively target people who are struggling.

Presenter: Paul Lewis
Reporter: Hazel Morgan and Dan Whitworth
Producer: Alex Lewis
Editor Emma Rippon

BBC Radio 4 - Money Box, Struggling with insolvency