By Claire Cooper

When the Haywards Heath foodbank opened its doors back in 2012 some people were taken by surprise. Was there really a need for a foodbank within affluent Mid Sussex?

But the effects of low incomes and rising prices, temporary and zero hours contracts and changes to the benefits system have been felt across the country, and people in villages, towns and cities are increasingly relying on foodbanks to help them through difficult times.

I visited Haywards Heath foodbank and met with Heather, the Project Coordinator, and Patricia, one of the many volunteers.

“When the foodbank first opened, the thought of Haywards Heath needing a foodbank was quite shocking to many people,” said Heather. “But today people are much more aware that families are struggling everywhere and the foodbank is becoming recognised as part of the local community.

“There can be a very fine line between making ends meet and falling into food poverty,” she added. “Loss of a job, illness or an unexpected expense, like a boiler breaking down, can all have a dramatic effect on the family finances. Most people on low incomes will have times when they need some extra help.”

Haywards Heath foodbank is affiliated to the Trussell Trust, which was established in 2000 and has a network of over 1,200 centres across the country providing emergency food and support to people in crisis.

Since opening eight years ago, the foodbank has grown steadily with both food donations and numbers of clients increasing year on year.

In the calendar year ending 31st December 2019 the amount of food donated and distributed increased by 29% to 15.7 tons, and clients helped grew by 28% to 2,121.

“In December 2019 we distributed 2.2 tons of food, up 50% on December 2018,” said Heather. “Clients helped were up 38%, at 349, and 45% are children.”

The service operates through a voucher system, with clients referred from over 100 organisations throughout Mid Sussex. Foodbank vouchers are distributed by front line professionals from social services, doctor’s surgeries and hospitals, but are also available from the Citizens Advice Bureau, local schools and churches. “It’s important the vouchers are readily available for people identified as in need, in hardship or in crisis,” said Heather.

Each voucher provides the client with three days’ worth of non-perishable, nutritionally balanced food. “The vouchers carry details of the number of family members and any special dietary requirements, such as vegetarian or gluten intolerant - we try to meet their needs wherever possible.”

Heather is particularly passionate about making sure families have enough to eat during the school holidays when children might be missing out on school meals, breakfast and after school clubs. “That’s why it’s really important that schools have vouchers available to give out.”

In addition to non-perishable food items, donations of miscellaneous items such as toiletries for all ages and household cleaning products are also welcomed.

Haywards Heath foodbank is run by a team of around 80 volunteers. Heather, who joined initially as a volunteer with her husband five years ago after working for the NHS, said: “Our volunteers come from all walks of life.”

The volunteer roles are varied and range from co-ordinating food collections in supermarkets, running a small warehouse near Burgess Hill and greeting clients in the Distribution Centre at its main base in Sussex Road.

Heather explained that donations come from supermarket collections, churches, schools and the community, including the WI and Scout groups. “They are all just amazing,” she said. “People are incredibly generous, particularly at Harvest Festival and Christmastime.”

The foodbank website has information about items to donate. “Tinned meat, fish and vegetables are among the most needed items,” said Heather. “As we move to Springtime we particularly like to receive long life milk and fruit juice.”

All donations of food are taken to the warehouse where they are weighed and sorted by type and date ready for dispatch to the distribution centre. There, food packs are made up for clients as they arrive at the centre.

“You never know who is going to walk through the door,” said Heather. “Some people like to collect their food and leave straight away, others like to stay for a cup of tea and chat. Sometimes it’s like a mum and baby group in here! We normally have around 20 clients per session but at Christmas we can get up to 60.

“People can feel very nervous about coming in here. They can feel ashamed, but it is very warm and friendly, and the volunteers make their visitors feel at ease.”

Heather added that her aim is for people to leave with smiles on their faces, knowing that they will have a dinner and a treat for their next meal.

Sometimes former foodbank clients will return to catch up. “It’s always nice to hear how the foodbank has helped people through difficult times and to hear that our visitors have now found employment and have somewhere to live.”

As well as food packs, the Centre provides information and can signpost clients to other local support services. “During the winter we give out ‘winter packs’ which are supplied by the Council and include a blanket, hot water bottle, socks, hat and gloves.”

New volunteers are always welcome. “Our volunteer retention is very good - people enjoy working with us, but we always need more.”

Potential volunteers are asked to fill in a form and attend an informal interview before being invited for a ‘shadow shift’. “Some volunteers prefer to stay in the background and pack, while others are happier meeting the clients,” said Heather. “Some might be available for a one-off supermarket food collection - others can commit to more regular shifts.”

Volunteers include Patricia Wallace from Lindfield who has worked at the foodbank since it opened. “I enjoy volunteering at the foodbank for several different reasons,” she said. “It is such a great way to connect with, and support, others in our community who, for whatever reason, are living through hard times.

“I enjoy the camaraderie of working with the other volunteers – they’re a great bunch of people. And as I’ve been fortunate to have enjoyed living in this locality for 30+ years it enables me to give something back to our community.”

With demand rising, the foodbank looks set to be a permanent fixture in Haywards Heath for the foreseeable future.