Ian Sollom MP visits St Neots Foodbank to meet with local organisations tackling poverty through holistic community approach

With 10.8% of children in St Neots and Mid Cambridgeshire living in poverty last year, and 16% of households claiming Universal Credit, local MP Ian Sollom has visited St Neots Foodbank to see the collaborative work local charities and organisations are doing to help residents in need.

Ian donated a food parcel containing long life milk, tinned tomatoes, jam, and fruit juice - items which, alongside tinned vegetables, the bank needs the most.

“It’s terrible that so many people in Britain depend on foodbanks,” said Ian. “The Conservatives forced thousands of people into poverty and things don’t seem to be getting better under Labour.”

“But the help the St Neots Foodbank provides is remarkable.”

At the foodbank, Ian spoke with volunteers Ross, Shaun, and Oliver, from Switch Now, a recognised training provider and qualified alternative education provider based in St Neots, who support people with learning disabilities into full time work. Switch Now helps co-workers gain skills such as work ethic, communication and social skills, interview technique and externally accredited qualifications.

Ian also met Meghan from Citizens Advice Rural Cambridgeshire and Sam from Money Advice St Neots (MAST), who also provide advice at the foodbank. Like Citizens Advice, MAST offers free debt advice, budget coaching and benefit checks to residents attending the foodbank in order to tackle the long term causes of poverty.

Also there were bakers from the St Neots branch of Free Cakes for Kids, a volunteer network who bake personalised cakes for families who find it difficult to provide their child with a cake to celebrate birthdays or other special occasions. They also provide cakes for vulnerable adults who have no one else to do so. Referrals to the group are made by schools, children's services, foodbanks and care homes.

Ian Sollom said: “The community spirit in our area is one of my favourite things about living in, and being the MP for, St Neots and Mid Cambridgeshire. Nowhere was this better exemplified than during my visit to St Neots Foodbank.
“Together, these organisations are making a tangible difference in our area and it was a real privilege to meet them all and see their work. A holistic approach to helping each other is so important, and I look forward to seeing how their collaboration grows even further.”