This community of practice (CoP) was hosted and filmed on the 15th of February 2024. It was organised to meet the demand from many Food Summit (21st September 2023) participants to learn more about ‘cash first’. It didn’t disappoint.
Description
This community of practice explores one of the key recommendations of the Food Insecurity Project launched at the Food Summit in September 2023, which encourages consideration of piloting cash first approaches in York and North Yorkshire. Research suggests that cash first approaches offer a different, more dignified, emergency response option compared to alternatives as they put money directly back into people’s pockets, or bank accounts at a time when they need it the most – without conditions.
In the recording you will hear from our inspiring guest expert speaker, Laura Chalmers, The Trussell Trust’s Area Manager for Yorkshire & Humberside. Laura’s presentation is also available here for download.
“We are far busier than even during COVID.”
As well as revealing some jaw-dropping statistics about the amount of food parcels and food aid support being provided before, during and since the pandemic, Laura also outlined a compelling vision for a UK without the need for food banks. Using data from The Trussell Trust, Laura was able to point to evidence that:
“When we put cash in people’s pockets they don’t go to foodbanks, but it’s a short term respite rather than long term change to income to afford the essentials.”
The solution? It’s a mix of complementary forces coming into play at once. An adequate national social security system; ‘good’ well paid employment so everyone can afford the essentials; complemented by a local safety net, where long-term funded crisis support has been agreed with local authorities by central government – so that food banks and food aid providers should be last resort.
“People come to Food Banks because they don’t have enough income not because they don’t have enough food.”
Laura pointed to the importance of recognising that in of itself cash first, or as she reflected might be more accurate to refer to as ‘income first’ approaches, do not address the root causes of poverty including food insecurity. This is why having wrap around support and advice is so crucial; but even if you manage to organise advisors in a food aid provision, whilst it can have tangible results for individuals that engage, it is still arguably not soon enough, it’s reactive rather than preventative.
But there is some cause for hope.
Laura’s own experience of supporting Food Banks in the Yorkshire & Humberside region with financial inclusion activity, whereby an advisor is in situ at the venue has helped individuals such that they don’t need to keep coming back. She references the national picture:
“Last year (2023) we had £19 billion of unclaimed benefits so as a first step let’s ensure people get what they are entitled to right?”
Moreover, looking at average visits to Food Banks in her region, Laura shared a less-heard statistic that should perhaps calm the nerves of those worried about creating dependencies rather than the conditions for individual resilience. She explained that the average was 1.7 visits per person.
“The dependency is a tiny minority I would say. One of the helpful things we’ve found is working with CAB who can help in the first visit: getting £3,500-4,000 k back into their pockets through benefits entitlement.“
Moreover, a pilot between The Trussell Trust and Leeds City Council over an 18 month period has been evaluated and has shown sufficient promise for that local authority to embed ‘cash first’ further in the future.
Our thanks to Laura for a fascinating presentation and to all participants who asked wonderful questions, clearly demonstrating a curiosity for this topic. Please see the recording for more detailed insights captured from this CoP.
Want more inspiration?
Here is the Trussell Trust’s podcast around the cash first work being done in Scotland between the council, food bank and citizens advice:
Cash First Approaches on Apple Podcasts
If you would like to explore the idea of piloting a cash-first / income-first approach with others in your area or want to find out more about this topic please contact Adele.Wilson-Hope@northyorks.gov.uk.