Salah’s story

Salah* was in her final year of a degree in health and social care, and working part-time as a healthcare assistant in a hospital, when she had an accident which left her with a broken arm and damaged her hip and back. She applied for Universal Credit, and received £380/month standard allowance to cover bills, food and travel to appointments, but £90 immediately went on service charge for her temporary accommodation, leaving her in financial hardship at an already very difficult time.

Salah was referred to Wandsworth Foodbank for emergency food and support by Wandsworth Council. She was helped with emergency food, and was introduced to one of our Foodbank Advice Project’s advisers, who advised Salah around disability benefits which she was eligible for but not receiving. Now this social security support is in place, Salah’s income has significantly increased, and she no longer needs to use the food bank. Salah says:

Before, I didn’t know that my life will turn out like this. Everything was going very well for me. I was thinking, I’ll finish my degree and then I’ll do the Masters. And then one day you’re okay, you can do everything for yourself, and then the next day you can’t even tie your shoelace.

 

That’s why it’s really important to have this kind of help. When I came to the food bank, everyone was so nice and kind, you know, helpful. I came here when I didn’t have anything. I came here and they welcomed me. You come to a church, and I’m Muslim, and they treated me like their own, with welcome arms.

 

It is a blessing from God, that’s what I say, how much they helped me – not only with the food, but with Personal Independence Payment and Universal Credit, everything. When I met Molly [food bank adviser], she welcomed me with an open hand. I told her she was like a friend that I never knew I had.

 

It’s good to have the food bank, so that if you fall down there are some people who will help you. Foodbank was there for me emotionally. When I was coming there, it was not only the food, they would sit down with me and just listen and ask me questions – how are things, how is the housing, how was your sleep, everything. It’s really good to have that kind of people who care about you, even though they don’t know you.

 

I hope people can donate without even thinking twice. They should know that they are helping someone, somewhere. What they are doing is really a blessing and they are changing someone’s life. Thank you.

 

*Name has been changed