HEATING or eating; it is a stark choice faced by increasing numbers of people as the costs of both continue to rise. Citizens Advice Torridge, North, Mid and West Devon (CA TNMWD) is working with Trussell in North Devon and we have an adviser available at Foodbanks in Bideford, Ilfracombe, South Molton, Braunton and Holsworthy.

We also have a presence in the Tavistock food bank on Friday mornings.

Foodbanks are community organisations that can help if you can’t afford food or if you need emergency food, but a referral is usually needed before you can use one.

You can get a referral for yourself and any family members you live with including your partner.

You can be referred to a food bank by CA TNMWD or from your GP, local council, housing association or social worker.

Whichever organisation refers you will give you a voucher – but be careful to check if it is only valid on a particular day.

Citizens Advice Torridge, North, Mid and West Devon has advisers in attendance at food banks to make people aware of any benefit that they are eligible to claim, advise on other help that is available such as referring to our Energy Team for advice on energy savings or getting fuel vouchers if you qualify.

Very often people have no idea what help is available to them and that is where we come in; if we cannot help you directly, we can usually signpost you to other organisations that can.

The aim is to give people alternative solutions to relying on a food bank.

When you visit a food bank you will need to let them know about any allergies or dietary requirements.

A food parcel usually contains enough food for three days and you may also be able to get essential toiletries like toothpaste or deodorant.

Some food banks have a limit on the number of times you can visit but a chat with our Adviser will hopefully have opened up other avenues to help.

People are coming to CA TNMWD in greater numbers with problems that are increasingly complex.

As ever, our plea is that if you could volunteer for maybe one day a week to please get in touch.

There is information on our website: www.citizensadvicetnmwd.org.uk or you can contact: [email protected]

Volunteers get full training and ongoing support, they make new friends and know that they are making a valuable contribution to their local community. Why not join the team?

• For free, confidential, independent and impartial advice call our local (freephone) Adviceline: 0808 27 87 999

If you need help with bills mounting up and are worried about debt, please go here: https://citizensadvicetnmwd.org.uk/debt-and-money-advice/

If you are unsure that you are getting the correct benefits, please go here: https://citizensadviceruraldevon.entitledto.co.uk/home/start

Rosanna Teale

CEO and Trustee Support Officer

Citizens Advice Torridge, North, Mid and West Devon