New figures published at the beginning of September show just how important Key Community Bus has become to South Tyneside throughout the cost-of-living crisis; helping residents save money, eat more healthily, and feel more connected to the community – while at the same time reducing the need for people to rely on food banks or emergency food parcels.
Key Community Bus, which operates as part of the national Feeding Britain network, aims to provide low-cost but nutritious food, alongside a range of support services and community activities, for struggling residents. A survey of residents shows that, since making use of this service:
- 73% feel more connected to the community
- 63% have higher levels of wellbeing
- 64% are eating more fruit and vegetables
- 90% are able to afford to eat more balanced meals at home
- An average of £13.37 is being saved per visit on groceries
Commenting on the findings Marie Burnett, poverty prevention team leader at Key said: “We have been determined to help our community in South Tyneside by creating a welcoming space that facilitates connections to others and to essential services, alongside providing crucial access to affordable, nutritious food and providing support to address any underlying causes of hardship or difficulty in life. We appeal to anyone in our community who is able to support this ongoing work, which is making a demonstrable difference in our area, as well as to residents who might feel they can benefit from our community bus, or other services who might like to hire our upper deck engagement space, to get in touch.”
Andrew Forsey OBE, Feeding Britain’s National Director, added: ‘Affordable Food Clubs, such as pantries and social supermarkets, aim to provide dignity and choice for people who are struggling to put food on the table. These figures suggest that, as well as helping to meet this objective, the Clubs bring communities closer together and enable people to access the help that’s needed to get more money into their pockets. The Clubs make life more affordable, manageable, and enjoyable for people during tough times, and must form part of a strategy to end the mass dependence on emergency food parcels in our country.’
For more information about Key Community Bus: keycommunity.org.uk/key-community-bus/