THE cost-of-living crisis is affecting households around the Borders and across the UK, with those in most need forced to rely on foodbanks for additional support.

The Galashiels Foodbank – which is run from St Peter’s Church – supports 55 adults and 27 children.

And as part of its latest initiative, the foodbank hopes to offer an extra helping hand to homes through the crisis this winter.

Liz Williams, one of the six trustees at Galashiels Foodbank, told the Border Telegraph: “Low and Slow is a shared agency project between NHS Borders and Cyrenians in Edinburgh.

“The course is something we know will make a difference.”

She added: “We would love not to exist but we’re not there yet.

“We will never send anyone away hungry.

“We’re a charity but have no paid employees.

“We have the most wonderful volunteers and the backing of local businesses too.”

The Low and Slow scheme will provide foodbank users with a slow cooker and ingredients to make hot, nutritious and money-saving meals at home using minimal electricity.

In addition to the slow cookers, the foodbank is also providing cooking lessons for clients to make the most of them.

The foodbank first ran these sessions in July, however, families were unable to attend as childcare provision was not available.

Now, however, as children are back in school, parents, carers or guardians can come along, learn to cook using a slow cooker and take part in talks with speakers on keeping well and how to manage during the cost-of-living crisis.

“People will start by cooking a bit with us in the session, then they take it home partly cooked, put the slow cooker on and the next day they have a full meal ready,” added Ms Williams. “There’s such a demand for it [the course]. People struggle to come to the foodbank sometimes.

“Some come and are so apologetic.

“I’d like to think we’re giving people back some hope or helping them find it [themselves].

“Give people hope and a feeling that they can do something for yourself.”

The course will cost the foodbank £900 which they hope to receive through a Newsquest-run competition.

Border Telegraph readers nominated the town’s foodbank to share in a £16,000 giveaway.

Ten charities are involved, with the other nine put forward by readers of our sister titles in Scotland. Readers can vote for the Galashiels Foodbank using the token found in our paper each week (terms and conditions are listed with the token). The foodbank’s share of the cash will be determined by the total number of tokens submitted by its supporters.

The closing date for voting is Sunday, November 20, so be quick!

People can self-refer to Galashiels Foodbank for three weeks and will be supported to access help from other agencies such as the Citizens Advice Bureau. For more information on the work the foodbank does, visit: galashielsfoodbank.co.uk