Poverty on Our Doorstep: The Real Cost of Living in West Northumberland

​When we talk about poverty in the UK, certain phrases roll off the tongue: the cost-of-living crisis, choosing between heating and eating, food insecurity. These terms have become so familiar, they’ve lost their meaning. But behind the language is a much harsher reality. The truth we see every day at West Northumberland Food Bank goes much deeper — and it's something we’ve tried to capture by speaking to a snapshot of the people we support, through our recent “tell us what you think” survey. 

We asked the people who use our services to tell us more about their lives — not just how they feel about the food parcels we provide, but about how they're really coping. The results reveal something deeper than soundbites: a chronic, grinding level of deprivation. Poverty here isn’t just about missing meals — it’s about missing out on almost everything that makes life manageable, stable, and liveable.

When replacing shoes becomes a luxury

Nearly half of the people we spoke to haven’t bought a new pair of shoes in the last three years. The same number haven’t replaced basic household items like a bed, sofa, carpet or any household appliance in five years or more. 

And from our wider conversations throughout the year, we know that around 5% of the people we support don’t have cooking facilities like a cooker or hob. That means they can’t prepare a proper hot meal. It’s easy to assume that a food parcel solves hunger, but when someone doesn’t even have the means to cook, every part of daily life becomes a struggle. 

* to protect the identities of the people we support, we use stock imagery. Image credit: Unsplash

Work isn't working

​The national conversation often frames unemployment as a personal failing. But the reality is more complex. Structural barriers - like poor transport links, limited local jobs, and the rising cost of commuting — mean that for many, simply ‘getting a job’ isn’t a realistic fix.  

​"The people I support aren’t just facing one problem — they’re juggling complex, overlapping challenges every day, from isolation to housing issues to not having basic appliances at home. My role is to help them navigate the support systems that feel out of reach, and make sure they’re not doing it alone."

Ellie, Outreach Support Worker

In fact, 14% of the people we supported last year were in low-paid work and still needed help from the food bank. Shift work, zero-hours contracts, and unpredictable Universal Credit payments all contribute to this growing issue of in-work poverty. 

In short, having a job no longer guarantees security. For many, it means juggling bills, skipping meals, and still relying on emergency support.

The price of isolation

Poverty isn’t just about money; it’s about disconnection, exclusion, and emotional strain too. When 78% of our users haven’t been on holiday in the last five years — and nearly 1 in 5 have never been — it tells us something about the long-term toll of deprivation. Cinema trips, meals out, or even a pint at the local pub are out of reach for most of the people we support. That’s not just hard on wallets, it’s hard on wellbeing. 

A local crisis, a national pattern

Our figures may be a snapshot, but they mirror a national picture. The North East consistently ranks among the UK’s most deprived regions. The cost-of-living crisis may have become a household term, but in practice, it means people living without furniture, without social contact, without the means to cook a hot meal—or without the hope that things will get better. 

We're listening - and taking action

We’re proud that our service is rated 4.9 out of 5 by the people who use it. But food alone isn’t enough. Half of the people we support don’t access any other food aid. Two in five haven’t engaged with other support services in the last six months. Many told us they’d like one-to-one help to do so - as they  don't know what organisations are out there or are anxious about accessing other organisations. 

​"Our strategy is shaped by the real experiences of the people we support. The insights from our community survey have made it clear: food is just one part of the story. That’s why we’re building services around what people tell us they need — practical help, personal support, and the chance to feel heard and hopeful."

Sam Gilchrist, Chief Executive

At West Northumberland Food Bank, we’re listening. We’re not just here to hand out food — we’re here to understand, to advocate, and to make connections that can help people move from crisis to stability — because we know food is just one part of the puzzle.  

That’s why, in 2024, we started a pilot outreach programme, offering one-to-one support to help people access other services, improve wellbeing, and take steps forward. We're working to meet that need, not just with food, but with practical, personal support that helps people feel less alone in facing difficult circumstances.

What you can do

If you’re reading this and you’re surprised, you’re not alone. Many people are. We don’t share this to shock. We share it because this is the reality of life for many people in our area — and it deserves to be seen, heard, and responded to. 

If this has made you pause, or if it’s made you think differently about our community, that’s a start. We believe everyone deserves stability, warmth, connection, and the chance to look ahead with confidence. 

If you’d like to be part of helping us make that happen — whether by donating, volunteering, or spreading the word — we’d love to hear from you.