Cost of living crisis impact on Oxfordshire foodbank revealed

Cholsey Volunteers has noted more families and single parents using its services as they struggle with spiralling food, heating, and energy bills.

Since Christmas alone, seven new families have started to use its food bank.

Development officer Jane Tyndall said the charity could cope but pleaded for more volunteers.

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She said: “We saw a big spike over the winter as people decided to switch on their heating.

"People are paying bills and catching up with Christmas payments. I think it is only going to get worse.

Foodbank demand is increasing (Image: Charlie Gilmour)

“It is families and single people, but we haven’t seen so many elderly people. Single parents are one of the biggest ones.

“The stigma hasn’t gone away and people don’t want to publicly declare they are using a food bank.

“We get calls from people who say they really didn’t want to make this call but we are their last resort.”

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The registered charity – which started during the covid pandemic and features around 200 volunteers – has also seen demand rise for its other services.

Over the last year, its volunteer drivers – who take those without transport to doctors’ appointments– have been giving 43 per cent more lifts.

Ms Tyndall said: “We definitely need more volunteer drivers because we have become so busy.

“If somebody has to get to an appointment at the John Radcliffe, they will have to get three different buses or get an expensive taxi. Our service is a lot cheaper than taxis, buses, and trains.”

The charity also carries out prescription runs, a meals to door delivery service, and has recently started a warm space at Cholsey Pavilion.

It has also set up a community larder – which charges reduced prices for food – in partnership with Didcot-based charity SOFEA in September.

Asked whether the almost five per cent rise in council tax agreed yesterday by Oxfordshire County Council would increase demand, Ms Tyndall responded: “I would imagine so.”

However, she added: “It seems to be more about heating costs and energy bills rather than council tax. People are choosing between heating their homes or feeding their kids.

“We would never be able to do what we do without our volunteers. We can only provide the level of service needed for the village with their help.

“We’re not in crisis. We are able to provide this service and we are loving doing it. When you volunteer, you get just as much out of it yourself.”