Estelle O’Brien never expected to need to use a food bank. The 45-year-old, from south London, has always worked full-time, weaving the everyday complexities of raising two young children around her busy career.
But after being made redundant twice, around 18 months ago she found herself struggling to make ends meet. Her neighbour, who volunteered at a community food bank, told her she could find some help just around the corner by rescuing food that would otherwise go to waste. When she showed up, she was “shocked” at the number of people she knew who were also struggling.