The women on a 'war footing' as the cost of living crisis deepens

'People are rationing, it's ridiculous' says Louise a co-founder of a community project in Shiremoor, North Tyneside.

The Guardian spent a week with the women who have begun work on transforming a crumbling building into a women-focused support centre in the area that has the highest rates of child poverty in the UK. Louise says that it's often women who bare the brunt of the cost of living crisis and everyday they as seeing people in need, whether it's asking for period products, help with heating bills or just a warm space to have a cuppa and some company.

The Guardian on YouTube:

#CostOfLiving #CostOfLivingCrisis #FoodBanks #FoodBanksUK #FoodBankDocumentary

[ayela]

“I represent people who are stepped over and ignored” . That gave me chills. We ALL should be doing what we can.

[muggedinmadrid]

What an angel that lady is ... I feel safer in this world knowing that people like her are around.

[hollyexley]

The women who started this project are strong and inspiring. "They have jobs but they can't live" - that really stuck out to me. Thank you for caring so much.

[kaylawood]

Inflation is far more harmful to individuals than a collapsing stock or property market because it directly affects people's cost of living, which they immediately feel. It is not surprising that the current market sentiment is extremely pessimistic. In today's economy, assistance is critical if we are to survive.

[jonathanprior]

Watching this film, I am torn between feeling truly sickened by the utter dereliction of duty by this pathetic excuse of a government and being heartened by and full of admiration for these women. Things need to change….and soon.

[thisiscrazy]

It's mind boggling that UK is in this state, women using socks and rags because they can't afford sanitary towels !! I have no words !

[Ally-ipsb]

The blonde lady is a true angel trying to help so many people.

[ChrissyDargue]

I've been lucky enough to stockpile cheap non-perishable food and essentials for quite a while in anticipation of things getting worse. People laughed at first at my "war chest". Now no one is laughing and I'm still terrified. I'm a single mum with a daughter with Down syndrome. We use a lot of extra washing powder etc, and we've been living with penetrating damp and slugs / snails infestation for years. The poorer you are, the more you're ignored, the worse you're affected and then we're often blamed for being poor. I stand by every woman on here. Christmas will be a grim situation this year. And my fingers are blue and its not even the coldest time yet. A WHOLE STRATA OF SOCIETY SHOULD NOT HAVE TO JUSTIFY THEIR ACTUAL EXISTENCE!

[Timetangle]

Those women are the salt of the earth. Strong, resilient and trying their best to get through this tough time.

[psychedelicpegasus]

Well done to all the people in this video for creating community and solidarity. The comments are full of spam and remarks full of misogyny and misinformation. If you think work related to the home and caring work is not actually work or taking part in society, then you are unbelievably wrong. If you think that, then you are denying every person who ever or will ever provide you with love and care.

[mcran]

It is incredible what this woman is doing. Thank goodness for kind people like her because if it was up to our cruel government, all these people would be destitute. Could you share details of how we can donate? Thank you.

[markhand]

i am in australia but this cost of living crisis is everywhere and its heartbreaking. We need to keep showing videos like this to help bring about change. Louise is an angel with a heart of gold

[deborahprkn]

I would love to see a longer documentary about this community centre and the people who help run it. ❤️🇬🇧🙏

[Plainandsimple]

It is so true when she said it is not as simple as 'just get a job'. I have a job and work hard doing all the hours I am able to get, I earn just over £800, my boss says they can only offer 22 hours at the moment, I would love to do more hours of I could get it.

My rent is £460 a month, council tax is £133 a month, I have very little left to buy food.
I am fortunate enough to get a little universal credit, £100 a month, that tops up my wages.
I ring the council several times a year to see if I can get a discount on council as it is a struggle paying the full amount but they always say 'no, I don't qualify, I earn a little too much, and they can only help people more vunrable ' anymore
I can understand that as I know they can't help everyone but I can't go on anymore

[rowdogspeaks]

I work at public libraries where we provide warm hubs for people to come to if they need/want a safe and warm place to be. We see all kinds of people but even now I wonder am I doing enough to help those who are struggling? These ladies are so amazing! It's almost as if we're sleepwalking into becoming a third world country at this rate.

[melissan]

She's a brilliant lady. Speaking up for the struggling and the poor..bless her..♥️

[Alex-przv]

This reminds me of my miserable childhood in the 1970s. Hard to believe that despite all the advances we 're back there again. Where would be be today in Brexit Britain without food banks and people who care? The scary thing is, it's getting worse, not better.

[Jaime-egeb]

It's not a crisis, it's a robbery. Calling it a crisis is like calling being robbed at gun point a crisis. Technically accurate, but doesn't tell you what is actually happening.

[jmudikun]

So much respect for the people who have taken the initiative because they care about their fellow citizens

And shame on the political leaders that have made child poverty possible

[Love-dwry]

Desmond Tutu: “Too frequently we think we have to do spectacular things. Yet if we remember that the sea is actually made up of drops of water and each drop counts, each one of us can do our little bit where we are. Those little bits can come together and almost overwhelm the world. Each one of us can be an oasis of peace.”