Key Bus delivers savings and community spirit

A South Tyneside community service is helping residents save money and eat healthier.

Key Community Bus, part of the national Feeding Britain network, provides low-cost, nutritious food alongside support services and community activities. 

The service has become a vital lifeline during the cost-of-living crisis, offering an alternative to food banks and emergency food parcels.

Marie Burnett, poverty prevention team leader at Key, said: “We have been determined to help our community in South Tyneside by creating a welcoming space that facilitates connections to others and to essential services, alongside providing crucial access to affordable, nutritious food and providing support to address any underlying causes of hardship or difficulty in life. 

“We appeal to anyone in our community who is able to support this ongoing work, which is making a demonstrable difference in our area, as well as to residents who might feel they can benefit from our community bus, or other services who might like to hire our upper deck engagement space, to get in touch.”

Recent figures show the bus is making a real difference for local people. 

A survey of users found 90 per cent are now able to afford more balanced meals at home, while 64 per cent are eating more fruit and vegetables, with an average of £13.37 being saved on groceries per visit. 

In addition, 73 per cent of users feel more connected to the community, while 63 per cent reported higher levels of wellbeing.

Andrew Forsey OBE, Feeding Britain’s national director, added: “Affordable Food Clubs, such as pantries and social supermarkets, aim to provide dignity and choice for people who are struggling to put food on the table. 

“These figures suggest that, as well as helping to meet this objective, the Clubs bring communities closer together and enable people to access the help that’s needed to get more money into their pockets. 

“The Clubs make life more affordable, manageable, and enjoyable for people during tough times, and must form part of a strategy to end the mass dependence on emergency food parcels in our country.”

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