Norfolk food-charity warn 'Cost of Living Crisis' is having severe impact on people's mental health
Food, fuel and energy is all getting more expensive
A food-charity in Norfolk is warning that the on-going 'Cost of Living Crisis' is having a severe impact on people's mental health and well-being.
It comes as basic food prices are surging, fuel prices have hit a record high and OFGEM warn the typical energy bill will rise by £800 a year in October - it means many are having to turn to charities to feed their family.
"It's something that's really worrying people, more than I've ever seen in many years"
Carol McKean, is community manager at Sheringham’s Salvation Army headquarters.
She told us that the situation for many local people is getting dire: "On a daily basis I speak to people who are more worried than I've seen them in a very long-time.
"They are facing choices and it's not just a soundbite, there are people that are telling me that they are worried about heating their house in the winter and about using too much electricity and the impact that will have now.
"Can we heat our homes? Can we actually put on our electricity for long enough to be able to cook some of the food, we actually get from the foodbank - I have had people say that to me and it's something that's really worrying people, more than I've ever seen in many years really."
"I'm not buying anything extra, that's what I keep hearing people say"
Ms Mckean told us that the situation is affecting everyone, with many many unable to cut back anymore: "People are feeling so low and so desperate at the moment, because of the impact of the rising prices.
"People are coming to us, who have never come to us before, people who are coming to the door genuinely upset saying, we're working and we can't make ends meat.
"I'm not buying anything extra, that's what I keep hearing people say. I'm not buying luxury, we're not have lots of treats, the children are going without some of those treats and we still can't afford to buy everything we used to buy."