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Original poster

I'm stuck 😭

135 replies

Welsh2479 · 19/04/2022 03:22

Electricity has gone up the money I have is meant to be going on food but is now going to electric so I'm left with nothing for three days, I'm in tears and feel pathetic. Food banks need a referral but I don't drive I'm really in mess and I'm sick of the struggle.Do all food banks need a referral? will I have to just suck it up? Any advice would be gladly appreciated.

OP posts:
AchillesPoirot · 19/04/2022 06:57

Who is the “we” you talk about? Who else do you have living with you?

Original poster
Welsh2479 · 19/04/2022 06:58

@Cantchooseaname

Sikh temples feed you a hot meal for nothing. There are lots soup kitchens that can provide a decent meal. Apps like olio or too good to go will let you see location of free food. Have you contacted your energy supplier? You may be able to have a payment plan that will help.
I'm on a meter I've contacted them they've just referred me elsewhere which will take time.
OP posts:
AchillesPoirot · 19/04/2022 06:58

Do you mean a prepayment meter? Everyone has a meter of some sort.

HalfShrunkMoreToGo · 19/04/2022 07:00

Hi OP,

First - do you have any loyalty points on your Tesco Clubcard or any other cards that you could use today to get some cheap basics in. If you have Tesco then you can cash in your points early through the app you don't have to wait for them to be posted.

  • use the links above to find your nearest food bank by searching your postcode and give them a call, if you have a Salvation Army nearby they're usually a good resource too and will help out with a meal.
  • call your GP, they can provide referrals to food banks too.

Longer term

  • check that you are receiving all benefits you're eligible for! Often food banks can refer you to services who will support you to go through the relevant checks.
OverByYer · 19/04/2022 07:02

Sorry for your situation OP.
On the off chance you live in Cwmbran
www.neighbourly.com/project/5dfb5f03c7ac892c1cfd8ece

Original poster
Welsh2479 · 19/04/2022 07:03

@HalfShrunkMoreToGo

Hi OP,

First - do you have any loyalty points on your Tesco Clubcard or any other cards that you could use today to get some cheap basics in. If you have Tesco then you can cash in your points early through the app you don't have to wait for them to be posted.

  • use the links above to find your nearest food bank by searching your postcode and give them a call, if you have a Salvation Army nearby they're usually a good resource too and will help out with a meal.
  • call your GP, they can provide referrals to food banks too.

Longer term

  • check that you are receiving all benefits you're eligible for! Often food banks can refer you to services who will support you to go through the relevant checks.
I do have a tesco card don't know how to do that though do you need phone credit? Is it a bar code?

I am receiving all I'm entitled too.

OP posts:
AchillesPoirot · 19/04/2022 07:05

You get the Tesco clubcard app on your phone and cash the points that way. It takes 24 hours and you get electronic vouchers you can scan at the tills.

AchillesPoirot · 19/04/2022 07:05

Have you checked for any spare change anywhere?

Who lives in your house with you?

Original poster
Welsh2479 · 19/04/2022 07:09

Can I just leave my phone open to scan the barcode

OP posts:
AutumnOrange · 19/04/2022 07:10

Who is your electricity supplier?

AchillesPoirot · 19/04/2022 07:10

You just scan the virtual voucher at the till.

Who lives with you?

Original poster
Welsh2479 · 19/04/2022 07:11

I think I need Internet to scan the code

OP posts:
AchillesPoirot · 19/04/2022 07:12

But you have the internet. You’re posting here. So you just get the vouchers in the app and they’re there for you when you open the app in the shop at the till.

AchillesPoirot · 19/04/2022 07:13

Who lives with you?

You say “we”. Who is that?

Sugaraddict999 · 19/04/2022 07:14

Have you tried searching online/local area for ‘community shops’ we have a couple in my area. It’s to help people like you but also to stop food waste. No referral at all needed.

DoughNutBabe · 19/04/2022 07:14

Sorry I know it is no help, but you can cancel your electricity direct debit (and gas) so next month you can submit your meter reading, get an accurate bill and then call them up and agree to pay as much as you can. There is nothing worse than a direct debit (calculated on your estimated consumption) clearing your bank account out…! x

Happyjoyjoy · 19/04/2022 07:15

Does your local council do any emergency funding payments? Crisis grants? Non repayable.

Sugaraddict999 · 19/04/2022 07:16

www.billhelp.uk/charity-food-banks-birmingham/

Not sure exactly where you are but a huge list here of options

Flowertopz · 19/04/2022 07:16

Ask your parents
Ask your partner's parents
Ask your children's dad / grandparents if not the children of your partner .
Ask your friends as you say only 3 days I'm sure someone could lend you a few quid or help you out with some shopping
Sell some stuff on FB marketplace or if you have games consoles sell to game/cex .
There is loads of food banks in West Midlands . Nothing to be embarrassed about you have to eat and especially kids need to eat ....

AutumnOrange · 19/04/2022 07:16

Who is your electricity supplier? Are you pay as you go or DD?

Namechanger0800 · 19/04/2022 07:17

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User7493268965 · 19/04/2022 07:22

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Eyerollerhighroller · 19/04/2022 07:22

I am West Midlands. Try this group on Facebook - if you don’t already have a Facebook account set one up. They are called:

Essentials Delivery - Social Supermarket & Food Bank. Delivered.

They list some postcodes but will deliver outside of them too. They were set up during lockdown to deliver to the vulnerable but have expanded since. They do food parcels etc.

Get in touch with them this morning.

Eyerollerhighroller · 19/04/2022 07:25

www.billhelp.uk/charity-food-banks-birmingham/

This link also shows you referral and non referral food banks. It lists churches etc that will offer parcels (no referral needed)

MNHQ
HopeMumsnet · 19/04/2022 07:25

Hello everyone,

We've had a number of reports from people concerned about this thread so, as we usually do in these circumstances, we're putting our heads round the door with some important reminders.

Right now we can't see any evidence to indicate that the OP isn't above board – if we did, we'd remove the thread straight away. But the truth is that, sadly, we at MNHQ can't know with 100% certainty that any poster is genuine, no matter who they are or how long they have been here. As frustrating as it is, we're not able to vouch for anyone here.

So we always ask users to remember that not everyone on the internet is who they say they are – and remind folk not to give more to another poster, either financially (in cash or gifts) or emotionally (in time or care and support) than they'd be prepared to lose if things went wrong.

We strongly advise against parting with any cash or giving away your personal details, and if you receive a PM which makes you uneasy - report it to us and we’ll take a look.

Sorry to hijack your thread briefly there, OP – we really hope you get your situation sorted soon.