The food bank trying to break 'cycle of poverty'

8 days ago

Bob HockenhullBBC Midlands Today

News image — Narthex CEO Patricia Coleman-Taylor says in an ideal world, food banks would not exist

BBC A woman in a coat, with a scarf around her neck is standing to the side of a large number of green crates, many of which have produce in them — Narthex CEO Patricia Coleman-Taylor says in an ideal world, food banks would not exist

A charity with a mission to help people in inner city Birmingham out of poverty said it supported 1800 individuals in 2025.

Sparkhill-based Narthex runs advice centres alongside its food banks so it can get to the root causes of their financial hardship and stop users having to rely on handouts.

A number of vulnerable people who have benefited from its services now also volunteer with the charity.

"If I hadn't had Narthex, I'd have been back into drink and drugs without a doubt," said former scaffolder Bob Beattie who helps out in its food bank warehouse, and said it gave him a purpose.

A man wearing a black bodywarmer over an orange hooded top is holding a can in his hand. He is standing in a small room — Bob Beattie is a former client of Narthex and now volunteers for the charity

Mr Beattie, who lost his job and flat, first came to the charity for food, was given support and advice, and eventually a voluntary role at its warehouse in Tyseley.

"I come here everyday, I do three to four hours a day, but it gives me a purpose, to know I've done something, and I'm alright with that," he said.

Narthex provides just over 17,000 food parcels a year across several sites including St John's Church, Sparkhill, but that is a 12% reduction compared to previous years.

"If we continue to hand out food without doing all this other more important work, that we feel is more important, then you build a dependency on food banks," said CEO Patricia Coleman-Taylor.

"In an ideal world, food banks should not exist."

A man in round, black framed glasses smiles at the camera. He is wearing a blue zipped fleece top, and to the side of him is a stained glass window — Ted Ryan is Project Director, Information and Guidance at Narthex

All food bank users are invited to meet staff so they can understand the basic causes of their poverty, and provide advice on topics including benefits, debt management, fuel economy and housing.

"We have to look at some of the other issues and why those people are coming in," said Ted Ryan, project director from the charity, which describes itself as working to break the cycle of poverty.

Some people arrive in crisis, he said, but others may have systemic issues that they cannot resolve themselves.

"Therefore you've got to match the food provision with some sort of advice and support," he added.

Masis, an Armenian asylum seeker, who could not speak English when he arrived with his family, sought help and ended up getting a paid job.

"Without Narthex, it would be difficult, Narthex helped me to quick stand from scratch," he said.

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