Are you struggling to eat properly?
Many of us are feeling extremely worried about how we will manage our household finances with the cost-of-living crisis.
High price rises in food and energy are making us all think twice about what we are buying. These tough decisions sometimes mean we may be tempted to skip meals.
As we age It is very important for us to retain our mobility, health, and independence. Skipping meals not eating enough or unplanned weight loss will not help.
There is help available
Food Banks
Food banks are available for emergency food. Some need a referral - but others do not. There is no stigma attached to using food banks. The staff and volunteers who work in food banks are there to help.
If you find it difficult to get to a food bank some food banks will deliver, and some church groups or voluntary sector organisations will help. Check in your local area.
The Trussell Trust FoodbanksThe Trussell Trust is a non-government owned organisation and charity that is working to end food poverty. |
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If you prefer to talk to somebody, you can get telephone help through Hardship on 0808 208 2138 (9am-5pm, Mon-Fri) they will chat through your options, and they can issue you a voucher to get an emergency food parcel from Trussell Trust. If there is not one in your area, they will locate the nearest food bank.
Alternatively, you can contact your local Citizens Advice which you can find using this link.
There may be other food banks in your local area check with your local council.
The Salvation Army can also provide help and advice - visit their website
The British Red Cross support line provides support in more than 200 languages, supporting people who are lonely, worried, and finding it difficult to access food or medication in the UK. Their helpline is open between 10am and 6pm daily on telephone 0808 196 3651.
Are you claiming all the benefits that you are entitled to?
Check that you are claiming all the benefits that you are entitled to here
If you would like to speak to someone about benefits, then Age UK offers support through its free advice line on 0800 055 6112. Lines are open 8am-7pm, 365 days a year.
You may want to contact your local Age UK. They have specialist advisers at over 125 local Age UK offices. Check what’s available in your area or call their advice line on 0800 055 6112.
AgeUK also offers advice in their factsheets that can be downloaded or requested from the helpline.
Make the most of what you have
Making a little go further
Sometimes using cheaper ingredients and thinking smarter about our shopping, cooking, and eating can help.
Here are some ideas from the Association of UK Dietitians for eating on a budget
Sometimes having home delivery or meals-on-wheels foods can be very cost-effective, find your local meals-on-wheels service here.
There are a number of national home delivery cooked food suppliers, including
There will be smaller local producers, please contact your local council for more information.
Help with shopping
Help with on-line shopping - Home delivery services
Your local Age UK may offer a home delivery service and may also be able to help with online food shopping, they could help you create a shopping list, order the goods online, and arrange delivery by the supermarket. You can check by calling the Age UK Helpline on 0800 055 6112.
Help with cooking from scratch
You may want to cook from scratch but can’t get out to shop or walk around the supermarket, there are online retailers who will deliver all the ingredients that you need to cook a meal:
