THE use of Colchester’s foodbank has increased by 43 per cent in a 12-month period amidst the ongoing cost of living crisis.

Almost 2,000 people used the foodbank in January, compared to 1,398 people in January last year.

Mike Beckett, its chief officer, said that the demand for the service has “never been this big”.

He added: “We provided meals for just under 20,000 people last year.

“We’re very grateful for the generosity of the people of Colchester which means that people don’t have to suffer when they’re going through crisis.”

A team of debt coaches have also seen a huge increase in the demand for their services from “people from all walks of life”.

Paula Goddard, from Christians Against Poverty in Colchester, explained: “This time last year we were working at 65 per cent capacity. We are currently at 104 per cent capacity.

“We’re seeing more and more people with unsustainable budgets, who can’t buy food or top up their energy.”

The charity has expanded their services to provide support for the issues which people are facing as a result of the increased cost of living, like help with cooking on a budget and refreshers on life skills such as reading utility metres.

The debt centre manager added: “These are all things we’ve never had to think about in this much depth before.

“It feels that we’ve gone back 100 years with people in the extremes of poverty, and this is people from all walks of life whether they’re in work or out of work, a family or single people.

“It’s heart-breaking.”

The demand for these services continues to increase, with a recent poll revealing that 30 per cent of people in Colchester currently fear they may have to use a foodbank.

Matthew McGregor, the chief executive of 38 Degrees, the online campaigning organisation which commissioned the poll, said: “There’s nothing fair about a cost of living crisis that has left families unable to heat their homes or feed their kids while energy companies rake in multi-billion pound profits.

“The message to the Government is clear: Cancel the April 1 energy price hike and fix our broken energy system; keep children fed by expanding free school meals and make sure all of us can keep a roof over our heads.”