A FUELBANK scheme operated by Wokingham Foodbank is set to become a stand-alone service from next week.
The scheme provides emergency support vouchers to people across the borough who do not have funds to top-up gas or electricity prepayment meters.
Starting on Monday, February 14, it will move from being an add-on for existing foodbank clients and become a separate service. The value of vouchers will also increase.
The move comes in the wake of “a very significant level of need,” said foodbank manager Annette Medhurst.
“A number of clients have expressed their concerns about spiralling energy costs and have told us how worried they are about paying their bills,” Ms Medhurst said.
“We are finding that a significant amount of the funds we are providing are being sucked into existing debt on the meter.
“And what is the point in giving someone a bag of pasta if they can’t afford to cook it?”
Covid has continued to affect energy usage, with some of those needing vouchers saying that having children home from school with the virus has led to heating being on more than normal.
Wokingham Foodbank saw an average of 37 referrals per month to the fuelbank scheme last year. November was the busiest month, with 67 vouchers given to people struggling to cover energy costs.
“There are always fluctuations in demand, for example in December our numbers dipped to 43 because the household support grant kicked in,” Ms Medhurst explained.
“Households on lower incomes are already struggling to make ends meet and the rising cost of living has a very significant impact on them.”
Information about Wokingham Foodbank’s fuelbank scheme and the household support grant can be accessed through Wokingham Citizens Advice: citizensadvicewokingham.org.uk
