'It's a struggle, but places like this are helpful'

NHS WORKER REVEALS HOW HE'S BEEN FORCED TO TURN TO FOOD BANK FOR SUPPORT

- JOSEPH TIMAN

"IT'S a struggle," Paul says, sitting in a busy church hall with his three children. Aged five, eight and 10, they are blissfully unaware of what their dad is saying.

Having worked for the NHS for nine years, the 46-year-old is currently the only breadwinner in the family. He has been on the picket line, seeking better pay.

Only four years ago, he and his young family were homeless. After months in temporary accommodation, they were given a council home in Wythenshawe.

The Christie hospital coder says his family is in a better place now. Financially though, things have been harder, especially since energy bills went up last year.

"We used to top up £40 a week," he says. "Now it's £70 to £80.

"But when you've got kids, you need to keep the house warm."

Living just around the corner, he saw a sign outside St Luke's Church in Benchill advertising the food bank which is based in the building on Saturday mornings.

Wythenshawe Foodbank moves around five different locations across the south Manchester suburb each week and is open there from 11am to noon.

The room is busy, but most of the people are here to help or just for a chat.

"Even people who might not come to church on a Sunday morning connect with us as a food ministry," says newly-ordained reverend Nick Campbell. "The food bank has made a difference to people's lives. It's giving them dignity"