Demands for food bank services have reached an all-time high across Bracknell Forest this Winter.

With over 100 volunteers on call to help weekly, the Bracknell branch of Trussell Trust Food Banks has grown exponentially over the last few years and throughout COVID-19.

Although I haven’t required such services myself, it is unfortunately many people’s last resort as the cost of living comes to a head.

The Bracknell News was given the opportunity this Christmas to visit the Bracknell Food Bank on Friday, December 8 and experience a day on the front line of the cost-of-living crisis.

In the last 12 months, the Trussell Trust food bank has provided 3727 emergency food parcels to Bracknell residents who couldn’t afford the essentials.

The food hub, located on Church Road, works with 130 referral agencies in the local area including council services, schools, and churches.

At this time of year, a line forming outside the building is not uncommon as people arrive to seek help from the cold and loneliness.

Much like a pub or restaurant, people are given a wooden spoon with their order number which they leter exchange for food alongside the referral letter.

The process from entry to exchange can often be a daunting one, especially for first-time visitors according to volunteers.

One of the longest-serving volunteers said: “The corridor between the front door and the hall is quite a walk and it’s very intimidating for some people."

Once a family or individual has been registered, the operation is one of a well-oiled machine where every volunteer has a purpose that will benefit the individual.

From the runners who select and choose the correct packages for either an individual, couple, or family, to those who are trained to provide advice and listen in times of crisis.

One of the team leaders, Chris, describes herself as a one-person a session type of volunteer and team leader, making sure everyone leaves feeling like they have been heard and respected.

She spoke to the News about her time at the food bank expressing her passion for helping people.

She said: “I always think that whether we’re busy or not, the client comes first and if they need to talk, we’ll give them that time. It’s mainly about making them feel valued, listened to and heard.

“Everybody is different and they’ve got a different story. They’re all in need and we just want to give them hope."

As well as the bag of essentials which includes everything from fresh fruit and vegetables to cereal, people have the opportunity to go around choosing specialist items such as toiletries, pet food, and a few treats which are all donated by supermarkets.

Imogen Fallis, a family support worker from Sandy Lane Primary School was at the foodbank alongside a parent who approached her at the school gate.

She said: “We have a lot of families there who struggle so for them my role as a family support worker is to support them in areas they need.

“I’m a regular friendly face in the morning at the gate and the end of the school day so parents know they can come and talk to me about anything and ask me questions about the support they need.

“We find that a lot of our parents do put their children first and they’re amazing families. They’re really supportive and more than happy to come and ask.”

Mum-of-four, Patricia Baxter, decided to approach Imogen that morning after leaving her kids at school when she discovered that she wasn’t going to make ends meet on the run-up to Christmas.

Patricia explained: “I broke my foot which put me out of work and then lockdown hit. I was left through lockdown with a broken foot before anyone even saw me so it made the bones heal really badly.

"It’s meant that I’ve been running to hospital appointments every week.

“Even though I knew I could go and speak to the school, it still wasn’t nice to go the first time. It’s never nice to ask for help.

“I was trying to keep going by myself but I knew I wasn’t going to make ends meet and I was going to struggle over the weekend, so I knew I needed some help. I’m grateful for all the help I get from the school.”

An interesting piece of information about the volunteers in Bracknell is that some were forced to use the service themselves.

71-year-old Bracknell volunteer, Peter Woodman, visited the Trussell Trust when he had reached the lowest point in his life due to a series of unfortunate circumstances.

After speaking with the manager, Claire Mather, things started to look up for Peter and his wife.

Peter said: “I like coming here because I’m helping. I’m giving something back after they helped me at the lowest point in my life

“I started here on a Tuesday and now I come four days a week. As well as helping, if I need help someone will know what to do and it means I am never alone.”