About
Real Stories
“The foodbank was a lifesaver.”
Your support is helping us to change lives.
Grace’s Story
Grace, single mother of four children and carer of parent, recently experienced a bereavement, struggling to make ends meet.
Foyle Network Foundation made a referral to ASK advice service for a benefits review, who made a PIP application. This claim was successful and Grace was awarded £440 per month. Referrals were made to Surestart and family hub, where Grace and her children attended various programmes.
Grace said “I came to the foodbank to get support with food not expecting to get support with everything else. I was suffering with my mental health & Louise advised me to go to speak to my doctor to tell them how I was feeling. As a result, my medication was reviewed & I was referred to the primary care team. I started attending programmes with Surestart which got me out of the house and talking to other mums.
Ethos family hub supported my older children. We had a great Christmas with the support I received from the foodbank and the other organisations that I was referred to. Going to the foodbank changed my life in unexpected ways. If it hadn’t been
for Louise encouraging me to get support for my mental health, I would never have made the first step. I wouldn’t have gone for a benefits check. I am now in a position where I no longer need to use the foodbank.”
Michael’s Story
Michael self employed father of two children, had to reduce working hours to care for one of his children who has additional needs. We made a referral to ASK advice service, who helped him apply for benefits his family was missing out on.
His claim was successful in securing him £1,156 per month. As well as the fortnightly support, Michael joined the credit union and starting on our savings scheme. Michael said “I have nothing but good words to speak of the Foyle Network Foundation and everyone involved there, went above and beyond for us, they got us into a position now where we are financially able to
leave the Foodbank. I will continue to support and save with them in my credit union. They are a much needed and invaluable service in today’s world.”