There have been some excellent responses raised in this thread so thank you to everyone for your contributions.

Sadly, there are so many vulnerable people in our society who are struggling like they have never struggled before because the social welfare system has let them down or they find it impossible to make ends meet. Unfortunately, there are flaws in the system that are causing a lot of misery and there is a lack of support These are the genuine people that are vulnerable and cannot work because they are elderly, too sick or infirm, mentally or physically disabled, caring full time for someone else who is sick, homeless and without an address (which these days makes it impossible to get a job), and so the list goes on.

Understanding that poverty exists in the UK is hard to comprehend, unless you have seen it for yourself. Although deprived areas are visible, actual living in poverty cannot be seen from the road. Unfortunately, I have seen it for myself whilst visiting people in their homes, I know that others in this forum have done too. It is heart-wrenching and I find it hard to swallow that many others in the country that are in a position to help just do not want to know or ignore it.

It is a sad fact that places of poverty exist all over the world where people don’t have the means to feed themselves. Without help from others, they will not exist. Fortunately, there are some wonderfully giving people in this country who do help both abroad and here in the UK as we also need to look after our own too. I find it incomprehensible that people prefer to help animals through the support of charities rather than helping human beings in crisis.

Food banks have been set up and are growing fast as there is a need. To obtain food, people have to be in contact with an “agency” (citizens advice, GP, etc.) that can help them and some form of token is issued. I believe they are given out in emergencies and are not regularly given to subsidise the cost of living. It’s all about giving your neighbour a helping hand, without judgement.