Citizens Advice North Staffordshire seeks funding to keep food bank advice services running

Across North Staffordshire, more people are being pushed to breaking point. Families are facing impossible choices between heating their homes, paying the rent, or putting food on the table. For many, turning to a food bank is no longer a one off emergency, but a sign of a deeper and ongoing financial crisis.

At the heart of this growing need, Citizens Advice North Staffordshire is working directly with local Trussell Trust food banks in Newcastle-under-Lyme, Cheadle, and Leek, offering face to face, confidential money advice to people at their most vulnerable.

Citizens Advice North Staffordshire is a trusted local charity, providing free, confidential, and impartial advice to help people find a way forward, whatever problems they are facing.

A Pathway to Independence

The charity is seeking funding to continue delivering face to face money advice sessions within these three local food banks. These sessions offer vital in person support to people in crisis, helping them to increase their income, reduce debt, access emergency assistance, and begin to build financial resilience.

Trained advisers meet people directly at the food banks, supporting them to:

• Increase income and access eligible benefits.
• Manage or write off debt through professional guidance.
• Access further emergency help beyond food provision.
• Rebuild financial stability to foster long-term independence.

The Impact Since 2022

The need for this work is urgent and growing. Since the project began in 2022, Citizens Advice North Staffordshire has achieved significant results:

• 3,469 clients supported.
• £3,959,016.52 secured in financial gains for residents.
• £2,401,331.51 of debt managed.
• £1,698,385.46 of debt written off.
• 852 clients helped to the point where they no longer rely on food banks.

The Funding Appeal

The charity is asking for £40,000 to fund six months of advice sessions in food banks across North Staffordshire. Without continued funding, this vital frontline service is at risk, leaving many people with no clear route out of financial crisis after they leave the food bank.

Support helps turn emergency food provision into a pathway towards independence, ensuring that no one is left to face financial hardship alone.

How to Help: Donations can be made via the link below: Donate to Citizens Advice North Staffordshire