# data[].attributes.body
PURPOSE

This website is designed to allow people to share their stories. Bournemouth Foodbank believes that change is possible and we hope to use your story as vital evidence for change by working with politicians and decision makers.

Each section covers a different struggle, covering financial hardship, disability and families. To share your story, click the plus button + under the relevant section to write your story and click publish.

TRIGGER WARNING

Stories shared here may include references to poverty, physical/ mental health challenges, abuse, food insecurity, homelessness, and other difficult experiences. While we regularly monitor and moderate content, we recognise that some stories may still be distressing to read.

CONSENT

By sharing your story, you consent to it being publicly visible and potentially used to support advocacy efforts. If you wish to remain anonymous, you are free to choose how you are referred to on the Padlet. We ask that all participants help maintain a respectful and compassionate space — hate speech or discriminatory language will not be tolerated.

We hope to use this information for social media, fundraising bids, telling your story and sharing the amazing work you do as part of our community! If you decide you no longer want your story being shared, please email the project lead, Niaṁ on niamh@bournemouth.foodbank.org.uk and we can remove your story from digital platforms within 10 working days. Your personal details can be deleted at any time.

SECTIONS

Crisis Support – Signposting for people in urgent need for help — such as homelessness, benefit delays, mental health crises, or fleeing abuse. The directory of support services encompasses different help available.

Poverty & Financial Insecurity – Everyday struggles with food, housing, debt, benefits, and access to essentials.

Disability & Health Inequality – Experiences of navigating with physical, sensory, or mental health conditions and how this impacts you physically, mentally, emotionally

Families & Young People – Impact on parenting, child development, and access to opportunity.

COMMENTS

Feel free to leave comments on others’ posts to offer hope, share strength, and show solidarity — your support not only uplifts individuals but also strengthens our collective voice in advocating for change.

# data[].attributes.headline
If you are in crisis or feel overwhelmed at any point, please seek support. You can contact:

# data[].attributes.subject
If you are in crisis or feel overwhelmed at any point, please seek support. You can contact:

# data[].attributes.body
Samaritans (24/7): 116 123

Shout (Text Support): Text 'SHOUT' to 85258

Crisis support column on this padlet

# data[].attributes.body
My name is Kirsty.

I have Autism, Learning Disability, Dyspraxia, Irlen Syndrome, Fibromyalgia, Complex PTSD and Generalised Anxiety Disorder

I receive enhanced PIP. The new PIP system can see me losing the enhanced rate and ending up on standard rate.

PIP pays towards my disability needs. A chunk of that pays for my care needs provided by my care provider, sensory needs, specialist glasses, coloured printer paper as I cannot see properly on white paper, overlays and most recently my rollator.

# data[].attributes.headline
Problem with the pip process - Conversation with community member

# data[].attributes.subject
Problem with the pip process - Conversation with community member

# data[].attributes.body
What is already difficult has become even harder - the process took such a toll on my mental health I was suicidal and citizens advice took my case to court in order to receive the appropriate benefits even though I had a psychological report from a top practitioner to evidence my condition. Makes you feel victimised.

I also never realised I was eligible for the foodbank either.

# data[].attributes.headline
Impact of PIP on young people / students with disabilities 

# data[].attributes.subject
Impact of PIP on young people / students with disabilities 

# data[].attributes.body
In 2014 two of my daughters became unwell pretty much overnight – both physically and mentally.  They were 9 and 12 years old.  They are now 20 and 22.  It took nearly two years for them both to be diagnosed with one of them also suffering with severe anorexia during this time resulting in hospital admissions and the other with serious depression and anxiety.  Their older sister was also diagnosed with ADHD.  All this meant that in 2015 I had to leave my full-time senior management position and become their full-time carer.  During this time as well, I was wrongfully accused of fabricated and induced illness via a child protection case, and subsequently cleared.  We live in private rented housing and during this time have been served with no-fault evictions 4 times (in 10 years) – causing huge stress, bringing us close to homelessness and costing thousands.  My younger two daughters were unable to cope in mainstream school and both were eventually home educated with one of them getting an EHCP.  As is often the case with families like ours, as the sole carer, my health also took the brunt of this stress and I was diagnosed in 2020 (after years of seeking help and being dismissed) with an incurable and progressive auto-immune condition – the consultant at the time confirming that the stress and trauma of the previous years no doubt contributing to this onset.

Since they first became unwell my daughters have claimed initially DLA and then once post 16 PIP.  We have had to appeal decisions a number of times – with success.  Due to the difficulty getting their health issues initially diagnosed and validated, and the subsequent allegations made against me, they have always found the PIP process particularly triggering and difficult.  Having to ‘prove’ every few years that they are deserving of support, is humiliating and traumatising- if the entitlement wasn’t needed, they have told me they would rather go without than go through the process of applying for it.  The payments have been essential – they are both unable to work, but with the PIP award have both been able to undertake university courses.  PIP also helps them with mobility costs, private treatments (not possible on NHS), supplements and other costs. If they lose their PIP they would struggle to be able to complete university due to not being able to work whilst studying.

# data[].attributes.body
My name is Rhianna, I suffer from Functional Neurological Disorder, Fibromyalgia, Borderline Personality Disorder, Migraine and symptomatic gastroparisis. I currently receive standard daily living and enhanced mobility but with the proposed cuts I will not be eligible for the daily living rate which will also mean that my partner will loose his carers allowance and would have to get a job, leaving me with no one to care for me as private carers are too costly. Currently my PIP payments and my partner's carers allowance allows us to stay afloat but I am still unable to purchase aids that would help me with my day to day life due to costs.

I have been waiting for a wheelchair assessment since January of this year and it is unlikely that the NHS will supply me with the power chair or power assist that I would need in order to be no longer housebound, therefore I have no option but to save towards self funding a chair which is currently looking to cost around £2000 minimum to allow me to be independent.

These cuts will not just hurt disabled people and their carers, but will also lead to more DWP related suicides which have been an issue for decades at this point.

The PIP process itself is also grueling and the idea of making it more difficult to obtain these benefits are terrifying to think of. Many claimants have experienced rude assessors and lies they have written after requesting reports. I myself was deeply upset during my reassessment which lead me to tears and panic, my partner had to take over the conversation for the next 15 minutes but when I requested a copy of my report, it was noted that I was calm and able to engage fully with the assessment. I have difficulties with my memory, and while trying to explain the difficulties I have due to my conditions, I was told that I was being "inconsistent" and was told not to lie. I would never lie. It was also noted that there was no evidence of my memory troubles, despite it being a prominent symptom of both fibromyalgia and FND.

PIP is my lifeline and if it were to be taken away for any reason I would not be able to cope.

It is also important to remember that PIP is not an out of work benefit. For some people, PIP is what allows them to work, to fund transport, workplace accomodations and other supports that allow them to do their jobs.

These cuts make me scared. I fear for my future and my independence.

# data[].attributes.body
Last year was the first time I have been on UC. Because I was living with my mum I wasn’t entitled to any rental support through UC despite having to support my mum with the bills. UC was not enough to live on. When the basics aren’t covered, it’s easy to throw caution to the wind with other costs because what difference does it make anyway, you are already in financial turmoil. I don’t live a flashy lifestyle but also didn’t want to miss out on key milestones for my friends and family: 30th birthdays, engagement celebrations, baby showers. These are all things that mean a huge amount to me, showing up for my loved ones. In order to live my life without compromising what’s important to me, I resorted to using credit cards to support myself financially and am still facing those debts now despite having found work.

This was the first time I was on UC and the first time I was unemployed since aged 14 and the “social security” I had hoped for has led me to financial hardship. In many ways, I am very lucky because I have support around me, was able to rely on my mum, had access to credit cards and am lucky enough to have found work, when the job market at the moment is so challenging. Many others aren’t as fortunate and are experiencing much worse with less support in place. Social security and universal credit should provide security not precarity.

# data[].attributes.headline
PIP is about independence which also supports carers 

# data[].attributes.subject
PIP is about independence which also supports carers 

# data[].attributes.body
My husband who is registered blind receives PIP. It provides the funding so that he can be as independent as possible; money for specific support, transport, aids, and even the odd taxi.

His PIP enables ME as his carer to work full time. I have to work full time in order to pay for my private rent, and look after our family as the main earner. I do not have the option in reducing my hours or caring for him full time like many might have done some years ago. PIP enables him in so many ways to continue his independance and connection to the community. But it also allows me to have my own career and thrive in having my own identity beyond his sight loss.

If PIP allows me to better myself financially by getting out to work even though I am a registered carer, how is there a need for reform? It surely works out that as a result of PIP, I am able to pay tax and NI back into the system whilst also providing a service to my community through my work.

Either the government supports me to care full time financially, or supports my husband to maintain his dignity and independence through PIP so I can work full time.

# data[].attributes.body
PIP is supposed to help pay for the additional things you need due to being disabled, but because my UC benefits don't actually keep me afloat, very very little of my PIP actually goes towards the things that I need. This means I can't afford to replace disability aids, or get ones that I need. I can't afford care, or a cleaner, or any service I might need either. The only thing my PIP actually pays for is my mobility scooter, without which I would be unable to leave the house 80% of the time.

This is one of the reasons I'm absolutely disgusted and outraged with the proposed changes to disability and sickness related benefits. I have voted Labour all my life, but if these changes go through, I'll never vote Labour again. It is abhorrent that Labour is trying to make these changes under the pretense of getting us back to work, when if I lost the benefits I get (which I would with the proposed changes) I'd actually be unable to do the minimal work I can and do do. I'd actually have to chose between using the foodbanks and going homeless, and likely end up completely bed bound due to stress and be unable to follow my strict diet.

The disabled and chronically ill community are one of the most vulnerable groups in our society. We already have to struggle so much, the world is not built for us, we often can't work because employers won't hire us or make accessible roles, we suffer the most at the hands of the failing NHS. That's not even including the pain, symptoms, and fear we can feel due to our poor health. This government NEEDS to do better, not only should these changes be scrapped, but the disabled and chronically ill community deserves a heartfelt apology from everyone involved in the creation of that green paper.

Listen to our voices and do better, or lose out vote.

# data[].attributes.body
I was a key holder for multiple stores in Bournemouth as a sales assistant until multiple stores were forced to close because they couldn't afford the rent to stay open. After not being able to find a job, my mental health started to decline. I have complex PTSD and depression I started to isolate myself and didn't know how to reconnect with the world. If you ever feel isolated or alone you will always find a friend in the church.

I started attending a local church Alpha course and when I was there I discovered my life's purpose. I was lacking direction and had too much time on my hands so I decided to volunteer at the warehouse in the foodbank. It helped me think of others instead of myself. I slowly started to fill my time with more things that I could do to help our local community. Donating clothes to we are humans, using my creative skills to give back through knitting projects and building up connections with the community by asking them what they need, what can I do to help?

I have been struggling to pay my bills and to buy food with the current cost of living crisis.

Last week I went to London for lobby day and had my voice heard. Little by little I am no longer isolated and I am making a difference. I am no longer accepting the things I cannot change. I am changing the things I cannot accept.

I now have hope that we can get through the hard times ahead as a community.

If you need help ask for it. If you can help, do it.

We each have a talent, a skill, a purpose. Do something to help someone today, pass forward the random acts of kindness.

# data[].attributes.headline
Children shouldn't go hungry in this day in age. Not now not ever. 

# data[].attributes.subject
Children shouldn't go hungry in this day in age. Not now not ever. 

# data[].attributes.body
There have been times when my mum was on benefits and I know they were an absolute lifeline for her, because there wasn't the 2 child limit when I was young. My brother on the other hand has 5 kids and was absolutely terrified when he lost his job, because he didn't know how he was going to survive - Universal Credit should support families of all shapes and sizes when they are in crisis situations, not just families with 2 children. Kids are suffering because there is not adequate support for large families. It is not right.

# data[].attributes.body
I seriously don’t get how people who find themselves needing to claim for whatever reason are living on UC especially when they have more than 2 children. The math don’t math. We have children due to no fault of their own living in Dickensian style poverty in 2025 in England it’s absolutely disgraceful. Living on a inner city council area I see these poor kids on a daily basis with parents who are not out of work and not struggling with addiction but struggling with how the state has run the country into the ground, not managed the cost of living and are also struggling with poor mental health because of this.

# data[].attributes.body
A change to the 2 children cap on UC during this cost of living crisis is absolutely essential if we want to be able to raise a happy healthy next generation. Parents raising children who find themselves having to lean on UC have enough to worry about and whether you can feed clothe your children and still keep your heating on shouldn’t be one of them no matter what income your on. They scrapped the Marcus rash ford dinner scheme and they have scrapped healthy start vouchers for fresh food for low income families and they have scrapped uc for larger families. It’s disgusting. Why are our children taking the brunt of all these cuts??! I genuinely don’t know how larger families are living on UC. I know when we had it (Because my husband had a back injury and literally couldn’t work) we had to rely on family to chip in and help out where they could and  it was a constant cycle of borrowing until payday then borrowing all over again getting deeper and deeper into debt to literally just get by and live. It was one of the most stressful times of our lives.