Citizens Advice in partnership with Trussell

Citizens Advice Wigan Borough works with Atherton & Leigh Food Bank to ensure that people attending the food banks in Leigh, Atherton and Platt Bridge are provided with the information and advice they need, in addition to food, to help ease the pressure they’re facing.

Our adviser Darren, will explore the situation and the options available to people visiting the food bank, to see what can be done to improve their situation.

This might be checking benefit entitlement, helping them to apply for benefits and/or grants, or referring into our specialist services for help with energy and debt advice.

We see multiple people every week who are building up debt just to afford to heat their homes and put food on the table.

Our advice is completely free and confidential. We’re not here to judge anyone, we just try to help people lead lives that are comfortable and free from worry.

Darren helped Dave* who was attending hospital on a daily basis, for treatment. Dave couldn’t use public transport due to his immune system so he had to drive each day. The cost of petrol was almost £50 per week, and Dave was having to choose between attending his appointments or buying food.  

At the food bank, Darren advised Dave about the HCS(T) form so that he could apply for help with the cost of travel for NHS care. Dave applied for this and now gets help with his expenses to attend treatment. He was also reimbursed over £100 of backdated costs.

*name changed