OVER 50s who are keeping “a stiff upper lip” while facing poverty during the Covid-19 pandemic are being urged to ask for help.

Dozens have turned to charities and foodbanks for support after losing their jobs but some are too proud, a meeting of Wokingham Borough Council heard on October 21.

The discussion was held after stark figures revealed Wokingham had seen huge increases in foodbank use and out-of-work benefits claims during the pandemic.

READ MORE: Wokingham 'going to Tier 2' this month as Covid 19 infection rate rises

The number of benefits claims rose by 223 per cent between February and August, while demand for the three foodbanks in Wokingham soared by 218 per cent.

Annette Medhurst, manager of Wokingham Foodbank, said her team “mostly sees younger households” but she has seen the number of over 50s asking for food parcels increase during the pandemic.

“Anecdotally, that number has gone up a bit over Covid,” she said.

“But there are some people out there who still don’t really know how to get a referral or they want to have this stiff upper lip even when they are really struggling.

“We need to be able to break down those barriers. It’s something we need to work really hard on.”

Simon Price, assistant housing director, said: “Age UK are seeing a number of clients come through the door who have lost their job and are now having to come to terms with retirement or are struggling to find a job.

“I believe that cohort will get bigger in Wokingham.”

The Conservative-run council is working with those charities and foodbanks to offer support and try and break down the stigma surrounding poverty, especially in the poorest areas of the borough – Norreys, Gorse Ride and Shinfield Rise.

Government analysis shows Wokingham is one of the least deprived areas of the country, but the council insists that poverty is still a serious concern, as many are struggling to deal with high housing costs and the financial impact of the pandemic.

'It’s ok to ask for help'

At Wednesday’s meeting, Jake Morrison, chief executive of Citizens Advice Wokingham, warned that more families could fall into debt and face financial struggles in the coming months.

He said: “We’re not seeing a huge rise in debt cases at the moment, but we will over the next couple of months and early next year.

“That’s when foodbank usage will massively increase.

“We’ve got to shout about the message that it’s ok to ask for help and services are available.”

There are also growing concerns about child poverty.

Around 17 per cent of Wokingham children live in poverty and the number of children entitled to free school meals rose to 666 between March and August in 2020.

That’s 479 per cent higher than the same period in last year, when only 115 Wokingham kids were entitled to those meals.

READ MORE: Areas of Wokingham which recorded most Covid cases last week

Emma Cantrell, founder of the charity First Days, told the meeting: “We support a lot of families who can’t afford school uniforms.

“The message we give to those families is – it’s not your fault you can’t afford it. It’s because the school uniform is so disproportionately expensive.

“Once we get that message across, we see this ripple affect in the community.

“People will ask for help and then tell their friends and neighbours who are also struggling that there is somewhere to go for help.

“It’s because we’ve broken down that stigma.

“If people are struggling, especially during this pandemic, it’s not a reflection on anyone’s decision making or circumstances.”