'Cost of living: ‘Nobody wants to say, 'I can’t afford food''

Tracy Gibson started a food bank in Derby six years ago.

Tracy, who also helps at several other food banks, says that the need for food banks has increased a “thousand times over since the pandemic”.

Speaking to 5 Live’s Tony Livesey, Tracy says people’s mental health is suffering.

“We have people that come to us that are suicidal, they can’t go any further,” she says.

“We’ve a got a third of people in full-time work, a third of people on benefits and a third in part-time work and being supported by benefits.

“It’s not about the unemployed anymore. It’s two people households, both working, neither of them can afford the food.”

Tracy also says: “People are talking to each and sharing stories. The mental health support is there just from people being around each other.

“When they walk out, they feel uplifted because they know that they are not alone.”

This clip is originally from 5 Live Drive on Wednesday 20th July 2022.