THE number of people using Whitchurch's foodbank has surged, according to its chairman.

Alun Scutt, the chairman of the Whitchurch Foodbank, which is based at Bargates Hall in Church Street, said the numbers are higher than before Covid-19.

Many towns and cities across the UK have seen an increase in people using foodbanks at a time when the country is struggling with the cost of living.

Alun said: "We had a period where it seemed to have gone back a little, I would not say to our norm because we are way up from where we were before Covid-19.

"It did seem to settle and yet last Friday we had, I think it was 18 [users] which if you went back to pre-Covid-19, we would probably get six or seven in a week.

"In short yes we are seeing people, they are struggling."

Many of the people who come into the foodbank are in work but Alan explained that some are on limited contracts and others are poorly paid.

He added: "A number of our folk we get coming in are in employment but either they have not got many hours or they are just very poorly paid.

"It is those who have got families who are struggling to meet the situation.

"And when we get into the school holidays, that puts more pressure on families."

Alan also revealed that many of the users of the foodbank are single young men.

But it also receives families of different sizes.

Alun said: "We still have a predominance of single young men, that is probably our highest element.

"We get families and of varying sizes between two and five children.

"The situation at the moment is meeting the need as it arises.

"Thankfully we have had a tremendous amount of support from the local community with food and donations, money as well.

"We are really blessed in that way, that is amazing."

You can donate to the Whitchurch Foodbank via https://whitchurch.foodbank.org.uk/give-help/donate-money/.