tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2541083431029092303.post7738012197868035609..comments2024-02-14T12:40:57.415+00:00Comments on A New Life in Wales: Warm Hearts in WalesPamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18406981075860636289noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2541083431029092303.post-87113953946298255172014-07-11T13:56:37.195+01:002014-07-11T13:56:37.195+01:00Hi Nanna Chel. Things are dire here end there in W...Hi Nanna Chel. Things are dire here end there in Wales, just as they are elsewhere in the UK. There has been a bit of TV coverage on North Wales, but it is widespread. The issues are often the very poor accommodation, the high cost of trying to keep a rotten and damp flat dry never mind warm combined with the benefits system. I saw walls with fungi growing out of them and water running down the walls, windows that merely filter the wind and rain and roofs that are sieves. If food is supplied that needs heating up it is not used as often the recipient has no power to heat it. Side by side there are palatial homes with sumptuous gardens and 3 car garages, but that is also true in many parts of the world. Pamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18406981075860636289noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2541083431029092303.post-75689735722403687172014-07-09T23:29:58.524+01:002014-07-09T23:29:58.524+01:00Hi Pam, I just came here via Kathy's Gates to ...Hi Pam, I just came here via Kathy's Gates to Yesteryear blog. Are things dire in Wales like they are in many other places in the world at the moment? I live in Australia and I know that some people are struggling. It is interesting to hear what things are like on the other side of the world. Nanna Chelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07500527266771727074noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2541083431029092303.post-56606943211252549522014-07-08T09:52:55.613+01:002014-07-08T09:52:55.613+01:00If I ever manage to grow anything I will be droppi...If I ever manage to grow anything I will be dropping some bits off in the farmers bucket. One thing I found out this year about allotment folk is they always try to give you stuff so I will be taking it all with a yes please and passing it on.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06597069824333007603noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2541083431029092303.post-24569850447125071912014-07-07T06:49:12.038+01:002014-07-07T06:49:12.038+01:00It is nigh on impossible to speak to a real person...It is nigh on impossible to speak to a real person now, I am sure that many older people do not receive all they should because they are unable to understand or even access the information needed.Pamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18406981075860636289noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2541083431029092303.post-86123228670231510922014-07-07T06:47:22.129+01:002014-07-07T06:47:22.129+01:00This weekend the food bank only wanted food, they ...This weekend the food bank only wanted food, they said that they had plenty of toiletries for the time being. The last time I went before I moved it was loo rolls, shampoo and deodorant that was in short supply.Pamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18406981075860636289noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2541083431029092303.post-39217271400343426282014-07-07T06:45:08.834+01:002014-07-07T06:45:08.834+01:00It is such a shame that fresh food is not wanted, ...It is such a shame that fresh food is not wanted, I am convinced that if a bit of thought was put into it the issues could be resolved. If one day a week was designated as fresh fruit and veg day the people who use the banks would know to get there and get a bag of goodies. All root veg has a decent life and so does some fruit. I would happily make up a few bags of fresh stuff and drop off first thing in the morning.Pamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18406981075860636289noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2541083431029092303.post-6424667532967162672014-07-06T20:27:07.446+01:002014-07-06T20:27:07.446+01:00Forgot to say that I agree about the internet thin...Forgot to say that I agree about the internet thing. DH has just had to sort out his tax code and as there are now no local tax offices he could visit in person he could only do it online (on a form that required certain information he didn't have because the office at the college had lost the letter he handed in to them which was why he needed to contact the Inland Revenue in the first place) or by phone on an 0845 number that cost money to call. If we'd been in financial difficulties it would have been difficult to use either method. Also, nowadays a lot of local Job Centres have been closed; people from Deal (8 miles away) have to travel to Dover at a cost of around £6 for bus/train every 2 weeks to sign on...and they don't get reimbursed. £3 a week out of a £56 basic benefit is a lot to lose.Helenghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04963972925920465515noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2541083431029092303.post-44198401038136984452014-07-06T20:16:30.089+01:002014-07-06T20:16:30.089+01:00I helped out at our local foodbank a couple of tim...I helped out at our local foodbank a couple of times, and I agree with Julee that its a pity all the food is processed but then its only meant as very short term measure. I think its supposed to be a 3 day stop gap, although apparently they had some of the same people coming back week after week, in which case its not going to teach people to eat healthily. It was good to see that people were also given things like toothpaste, feminine hygiene products, shampoo etc. as well as food as those kinds of things can be so expensive to buy. Pet food was also handed out so that people's loved animals didn't have to suffer.Helenghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04963972925920465515noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2541083431029092303.post-57694415312516647372014-07-06T08:36:25.541+01:002014-07-06T08:36:25.541+01:00It's so sad, we have two food banks in our cit...It's so sad, we have two food banks in our city. The nearest to us have said it is mostly families waiting for their benefits to come through after losing their jobs, many companies folded so they didn't get their wages for the last couple of months and then it is about 8 weeks to get the benefits up and running. It's ridiculous.<br /><br />The food bank has a farmer who donates large buckets of spuds every week but they have to be "free help yourself" rather than in the donation pile as they are not allowed fresh food. Daft as the allotment have surplus but are unable to donate. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06597069824333007603noreply@blogger.com