Foodbanks in Jersey 2016 usage report.

STATES OF JERSEY

FOODBANKS IN JERSEY 2016 USAGE REPORT

Presented to the States on 8th November 2016 by the Minister for Housing

STATES GREFFE

2016  R.114

Foodbanks in Jersey 2016 Usage Report

Publication date: 4th November, 2016

Foodbanks in Jersey Usage Report

Background

The island has a long tradition of charitable support; this includes a number of on-island providers of basic supplies. They provide food as well as items such as clothing, cooking equipment and home supplies to people in need. Organisations that provide this support include: The Salvation Army, Love thy neighbour, Variety – the children's charity, Shelter Trust, The Grace Trust, St Helier Methodist Centre and St Vincent de Paul.

In April 2015 the UK's largest network of foodbanks – the Trussell Trust - released a report detailing the sharp increase in use of foodbanks. The Trust's 445 food banks distributed enough food in the UK to feed almost 1.1 million people for three days in 2014-15. This is a 19% year-on-year increase in foodbank use.

The UK media's reporting on the subject drew attention to the local issue of charitable food provision. Whilst local providers had noted an increase in supplies they were providing to islanders, no detailed data had been collected on the individuals receiving this support.

In 2015, the Minister for Housing met with foodbank representatives to consider how best to obtain data on the use foodbanks in Jersey.

The three principal providers of food assistance - The Grace Trust, St Helier Methodist Centre and St Vincent de Paul – agreed to participate in a pilot study, collecting usage data on their services throughout the first quarter of 2016.

Recent Initiatives

Given the increasing number of charities involved in this area, a number of initiatives were undertaken in 2015 and 2016 to strengthen communication between States departments and the charities. This included:

• Information and networking session – themed presentations around the support services available foodbank users and an opportunity for foodbank providers to meet with States departments and charitable support services
• Income Support Workshops- interactive information sessions with a specific focus on Income Support
• Direct contact - Direct contact with senior income support advisers to handle urgent claims
• Training support – Support to organisations with data collection and safeguarding matters

Methodology

From 1st January to 31st March 2016, The Grace Trust, St Helier Methodist Centre and St Vincent de Paul collected data on those who used their foodbank services.

For each individual visit, a questionnaire was completed noting basic details on the individual and their reasons seeking food assistance. A copy of the questionnaire can found at Appendix 1.

A very small number of individuals (<10) declined to participate in the survey.

At the end of the trial period, the data was collated (see Appendix 2) and analysed, as set out below.

Key findings: Overview

Key findings: In detail

1. Usage of Foodbanks

Over the 3 month period, up to 180 individuals visited the island's three main foodbanks[1]; the majority visited only once or twice, a minority of heavy users' visited weekly or fortnightly. This  would  equate  to  2  in  every  1000  people  in  Jersey. Whilst  this  data  provides  an indication of the level of usage of foodbanks, it cannot give us a direct indication of the level of need regarding food assistance on island. It is also important to note that the foodbanks have different policies on the number of times an individual can receive food assistance.

 Key figures

• Up to 180 individuals visited foodbanks in the first quarter of 2016
• This resulted in a total of 513 visits, which is an average of 3 visits per individual.
• The greatest frequency of visits by an individual was 12; however the majority - 61% of individuals - only visited the food provider one or two times during the 3 month period.

2. Profile of users

Users were more likely to be male, born in Jersey, aged 35-54 and single with no children.

21% of users were of Portuguese/Madeiran nationality and less than 1% were born in Eastern Europe. 11% had lived in Jersey for less than 10 years, the remainder (89%) were born in Jersey, or had lived in the island long enough to gain an entitled' status for work and housing qualifications. Over three quarters were single, and only a quarter had dependent children.

Key figures Age & gender

• 60% of users are male (and 40% are female)
• 50% are aged 35 to 54 and 5% are over 65

60

50

40

30

Age 20

No. of  10

0

16-24 25-34 35-44 45-54 55-64 65+ Figure 1 – Age

Place of birth and length of residence

• 55% were born in Jersey

• This compares to 50% of the population as a whole[2]
• Foodbank users from the British Isles and Republic of Ireland, Eastern Europe and the rest of the world are underrepresented in foodbank use, compared to

the rest of the population.

60 50

40

% 30

20 Foodbank user

10 Population of Jersey

0

Figure 2 - Place of birth

• 11% have lived in Jersey for less than 10 years

• This compares to 13% of the whole 16+ population in the 2011 census

100

80

60

% 40 Length of 20 residency

0

Less than 10 More than 10

years years

Figure 3 – Length of residency  

Family status

• 77% are single, whilst 23% are cohabiting with a partner
• 26% have dependent children living with them, whilst 74% had no children living in their household

3. Reasons for seeking food assistance

Many users (30%) did not state who had referred them to the service. Of the 70% that did, most referrals came from the Citizens Advice Bureau.

The single most common reason cited for seeking food assistance was having a long-term health condition. Other reasons included general low income or a reduction in the level of benefits received.[3]

Key figures

• The three main sources of referral to the food providers were:

• Citizen's Advice Bureau (44%)
• Friends/family (32%)
• A church/ church-related organisation (10%)

• 29% said that a  long-term  health condition was one of  the main reasons for seeking food assistance
• 26% said a reduction in benefit  was one of the main reasons for seeking food assistance

• Anecdotally, some of the foodbanks report that service users feel that changes to Long-term Incapacity Allowance (LTIA) payments has played a role in their seeking food assistance.[4]

• 23% said that low income was one of the main reasons for seeking food assistance

Further support

• 18% said they wanted support looking for work
• 17% said they need someone to talk to  
• 6% said they would like support with managing their money  

4. UK data Number of users

In the UK, the largest foodbank provider estimates that between April and September 2015 they saw approximately 298,000 unique users.[5] Between January and March 2016, up to 180 individuals visited the main foodbanks in Jersey. However, these two figures are not directly comparable – in that neither figure represents all foodbank users, and they cover different time periods.

If we look at the figures in relation to the population, in the UK it is estimated that 5 in every 1000 people used a foodbank in the time period concerned.

Reasons for using foodbanks  

Data  from  this  pilot  study  provides  an  indication  of  the  main  reason'  people  visited foodbanks. The Trussell Trust publishes data on the primary reasons for referral'. Whilst not directly comparable – the reasons for use are broadly similar.

Figure 3 – Primary reasons for referral to Trussell Trust Foodbanks in the UK (2015-16)

• Benefit-related reasons account for 41% of referrals in the UK
• Low income accounts for 23% of those seeking food assistance in the UK
• 3% cite "sickness" as the reason for referral.

• However, UK research indicates that foodbank use is higher in areas where there are more people who are unable to work due to long-term sickness or

disability.

Summary

The information provided by this pilot study highlights the profile and prevalence of foodbank use on the island. The data show that individuals seeking food assistance are more likely to be male, born on the island and single with no dependent children.

The data reveals that there are a range of individual circumstances which lead to the use of foodbanks. Many individuals have long-term health issues and a significant number of visits are associated with a change in the level of Social Security benefits paid. This can follow a change of circumstances in the household or because a job seeking sanction has been imposed, or because of changes to benefits paid. From this initial survey, the use of foodbanks appears to be lower in Jersey than that recorded in the UK.

In order to better understand the picture of those visiting foodbanks on the island, it is recommended that the data collection is repeated during the first quarter of 2017. This will provide comparable results, and allow for analysis of year-on-year change – including any increase or decrease in use.

The results of this survey are also of use to policy development in other areas, including the Disability Strategy and Building a Safer Society Strategy.

Appendix 1 – Questionnaire

Food Assistance Data Collection Form Date________________  

Are you?  

 1  Male

 2  Female

What age are you? _______________

Where were you born?  

 1  Jersey

 2  British Isles* or the Republic of Ireland (* including England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland,

other Channel Islands, Isle of Man)

 3  Portugal or Madeira

 4  Eastern European

If elsewhere, please specify: _____________________________________________

What year did you move to the island? 1at birth or year________________

Are you living as part of a couple?  1  Yes

2  No

Do you have dependent children living with you? 1  Yes

 2  No

If you do have dependent children living with you, how many? ______________ Who referred you to our organisation? Please specify  ______________

Do any of the following situations apply to you? (select as many as appropriate);  

I am waiting for my benefit to be approved    I have a low income

My  benefits  have  been  sanctioned  My wages have been delayed / changed (temporarily stopped/ reduced)

I do not qualify for benefits  I am recently unemployed

My benefit has recently been reduced  I have a long-term health problem

I am in debt

Please tick which best describes why you are seeking food assistance (select one only);  

1  I am waiting for my benefit to be approved  I have a low income

 2  My  benefits  have  been  sanctioned  My wages have been delayed / changed

(temporarily stopped/ reduced)

 3  I do not qualify for benefits  I am recently unemployed

 4  My benefit has recently been reduced  I have a long-term health problem

 5  I am in debt  Other

If 'Other', please specify: _______________________________________________________________________

Would you like information on any other organisations that may provide further support? 1  How to manage your money  6  Looking for a place to live

 2  Looking for work   7  Need somewhere safe to go

 3  Managing alcohol or drug addiction  8  Need someone to talk to 4  Help with child care or concerns  9  Other

 5  Help with someone you care for

If 'Other', please specify:____________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________

Recurrence this year: ____________________________________________

Appendix 2 – Data tables

Individual visitors

Number of visits

Gender

Age

Place of birth

Lived on island since birth

Length of time on island

Length of time on island

Cohabiting

Dependent children

Referral source

Current status

Main reason(s) for visit[7]

Further support