'I felt I'd let my children down': Working single mum, on turning to Cornwall foodbank
Dawn reached out when she found herself in emergency accommodation
Last updated 5th Oct 2022
A working single mum from Cornwall tells us she felt like she had let her children down when she had to turn to a foodbank for help.
Dawn Rudgewick-Brown reached out to the centre in Truro when she and her family ended up in emergency accommodation, with just a mini-fridge and microwave to heat up food.
Despite working four days a week, she has to top up her income with Universal Credit and is among the thousands waiting to hear whether payments will rise in line with inflation.
We spoke to Dawn, who has since set up a Housing Crisis Support Group for others in crisis, at the 'Voices Within Poverty' conference on Tuesday.
It was organised by Truro Foodbank is calling for 'united action' to tackle poverty in Cornwall, which a report suggests is now the second poorest region in Europe.
Dawn said: "I should be able to provide for my children. I've worked very hard. I've never had a day of not working since I was 14 years old.
"It was the feeling like I'd let the children down. I was so scared I would be looked down on or sympathised with - I'm not sure which one's worse".
Dawn turned to Truro Foodbank when she realised the cupboards were bare but has said that decision was not easy.
"No, I didn't plan to - I don't think anybody actually plans to go to a foodbank. But if I have to, I will go and I will go with my head held high, knowing that I've done the best I can.
Speaking about her Facebook support group, Dawn said: "I felt so alone when I was going through it. I had my family, but my family had never experienced this before, so they didn't have the answers; where else was I going to get them from? The group itself keeps me going because they need me, and I need them and I'm not alone".
The group, where people can share information on emergency, temporary and social housing, as well as vent their stories, can be found on Facebook.