WITH winter fast approaching, support services are warning of a rise in people being 'pushed into hardship' and fuel poverty as living costs continue to outpace incomes.
Over the past year, West Northumberland Food Bank and Citizens Advice Northumberland say they have seen a shift in who is reaching out for help.
While they both continue to support people living in long-term poverty, staff and volunteers are now seeing a marked increase in first-time callers, reflecting the growing number of households experiencing crisis for the first time.
Between June and July alone, calls to the food bank’s helpline rose by 80 per cent. Behind those calls, staff say, are people 'trying to hold things together', parents working full-time but struggling with rising costs, older residents on fixed incomes whose pensions no longer stretch far enough, and those in poor health facing impossible choices about how to stay warm.
As one caller told the team: “Everything is a struggle.”
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‘People are being tipped over the edge’: Citizens Advice warns of rising hardship
The Energy Team at Citizens Advice Northumberland, a 'discrete' unit of professional and qualified energy advisors and caseworkers, who have helped 'thousands of locals' since opening over six years ago, echoed these concerns.
Since April 2025, the team has worked with 221 residents in the Hexham constituency, 119 of whom were brand new customers.
- 62% of those that they've worked with are women, 38% are men, and 76% describe themselves as disabled, or living with a chronic illness or health condition.
- 71% are aged 45 and over, and the majority have a white ethnic background.
- There were 1,466 issues raised.
The food bank says that although hardship isn't confined to one season, winter always exposes it most sharply.
Staff and volunteers have undertaken specialist training in energy advice to help people facing soaring fuel costs and the reality of living in homes they can’t afford to heat.
Sam Gilchrist, CEO of West Northumberland Food Bank, said: "The hardship we’re seeing isn’t temporary. People are budgeting carefully, cutting back wherever they can, and still falling short. By the time winter arrives, many are already exhausted, financially and emotionally."
While food donations remain vital, the charity now spends thousands of pounds each month supplementing them to ensure it can keep up with demand and continue providing balanced, nutritious parcels. Financial donations are therefore essential to sustain this support through the months ahead.
"This winter will deepen the pressures that are already there. For many local people, the struggle to stay warm and well isn’t a short-term problem; it’s becoming a way of life. Our community’s generosity has always carried us through, and we need that same solidarity again this year," added Sam.
The Energy Team says they're 'here to help' on a multitude of financial and personal issues, including fuel poverty.
Of its support of 221 residents since April, the team has helped residents access £194,471 in extra income and £20,169 in additional support, including purchasing coal, oil, bottled gas, and heated throws.
They also covered a £680 bankruptcy fee for one resident, helping to clear 'thousands of pounds of debt'.
"We want Northumberland residents to understand that we're here to listen and to help share the burden of feeling like you can't put your heating on, as you're terrified of the bills," said a spokesperson for the Energy Team.
"You might have been told you have energy debt, and you don't understand how it has happened, and want help to challenge that. Our service is free, it's confidential, and we won't judge anyone. The help that Citizens Advice Northumberland can offer you is wider than energy issues. We're here to help."
For more information on West Northumberland Food Bank, visit www.westnorthumberlandfoodbank.org.uk and find out more about Citizen Advice Northumberland's Energy Team via https://www.citizensadvicenorthumberland.org.uk/get-advice/our-projects/the-energy-project/
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