Food and Fuel update Archbishop of Wales
Dear Friends,
It has been two week’s since the Church in Wales launched the Food and Fuel campaign which aims to tackle Wales’ cost of living crisis. We have launched our first-ever campaign newsletter and invited you to sign our open letter to UK supermarkets. This letter calls on them to respond positively and promptly to assist the citizens of the UK avoid the crippling damage this situation creates.
You can find out more on our website: Food & Fuel - The Church in Wales.
Open Letter update
As a response to our Open letter to the UK supermarkets, calling on them to do more, we have received responses from only 4 of the 11 we contacted (Aldi, M&S, Sainsbury’s, and Waitrose) and we are most grateful for their engagement with the issues affecting so many across the UK. We appreciate the measures they have already taken to reduce the price of essential goods, reduce waste and support employees.
However, the cost-of-living crisis is having a detrimental impact on the health and development of our children, our vulnerable people and will move a significant number of people into real and lasting poverty. Lacking a healthy and balanced diet can lead to a variety of physical health problems, impact on mental health and hinder children’s education. Despite the good work of thousands of Food Banks and Warm Hubs across the UK, it is simply not acceptable in the sixth richest economy in the world, that anyone should have to rely on such services in order to survive.
Advocating for change
Behind the scenes I have been meeting with decision makers and politicians across Wales to advocate for those in our communities who are forced to decide between heating or eating. I am grateful for enriching conversations with Susan Lloyd- Selby of Trussell Trust, Jane Hutt MS (Minister for Social Justice), Dominic & Catherine De Souza (pastors at City Church, Cardiff), Presiding Officer at Senedd Elin Jones MS, Minister for Finance and Local Government, Rebecca Evans MS and the First Minister of Wales Mark Drakeford. These engagements highlight the strength we have collaboratively as well as the commitment for improving the lives of the people of Wales, which we all share.
Your support will add weight to the discussions we have with the decision makers.
Upcoming is a visit to London to speak with Revd Canon Steve Chalke of the Oasis Centre, Bishop Anthony Poggo, Secretary General of the Anglican Communion as well as meetings with Ben Lake MP, Liz Saville-Roberts MP and Hywel Williams MP.
This week, Senedd Members, MP’s and Peers will be contacted to inform them about the Food & Fuel Campaign asking for their support by signing up to the Food and Fuel newsletter and signing our Open Letter to UK supermarkets. We ask that they draw attention to the campaign and encourage those in their constituency to support this and other similar campaigns which aim to tackle the devastating impact of food and fuel poverty.
Media coverage includes BBC Radio Cymru, Church Times and Premier Christianity, with more interviews lined up to highlight the pressing need fo change.
Well-Fed project
It was an absolute pleasure to record a short film with ‘Well Fed’ Managing Director Robbie Davison whose enthusiasm and commitment to healthy and affordable food is unparalleled. The social enterprise he has established with the support of Flintshire County Council and ClwydAlyn Housing Association has a simple message: ‘Feed-Everyone-Well’. The organisation profits are used to benefit others through their mobile corner shop (a van full of delicious and affordable food which travels to rural communities), the Well-Fed Meal Box and Slow Cooker Bags (fresh and locally sourced food ready for home cooking with all of the ingredients measured out for your convenience) as well as delicious and nurtrious ready meals for those with little time to cook or concerned about the cost of cooking.
We are grateful to each diocese for supporting Food and Fuel, especially Sarah Wheat and Diane McCarthy of St Asaph Diocese for their engagement and unwavering support for the campaign.
Join the campaign
Your support will add weight to the discussions we have with the decision makers. If you are able to encourage others to sign our Open letter, receive the newsletter and perhaps share links on your social media, this will keep you up to date with campaign progress as well as spread our message far and wide.
Follow me on Twitter @ArchbishopWales and follow the Church in Wales on Instagram and Facebookwhere we are highlighting some of the incredible work our churches are doing to support our communities.
Thank you to everyone who has signed up to receive the campaign newsletter, added their name to our Open letter to supermarkets and those who have shared the hub page on your social media.
Your voice matters and together, we will make a difference.
+Andrew Cambrensis