As families go through the struggle of the cost of living crisis, The Welwyn Hatfield Times asked our readers to take part in a survey that lets us know how you are managing. 

Of those that responded within the survey, 32.54 per cent of the responses were from families in Welwyn Hatfield and 69.51 per cent of those local responses said they were worse off than they were a year ago, while 15.85 per cent said their financial situation had not changed. 

Respondents from across Herts could feel the cost increases in various areas, but most notably within the cost of their food shopping, with 94.4 per cent feeling the pinch at the checkouts. 

The manager at Hatfield Foodbank, Dominic Long, said: “The cost of living crisis is having a big impact on everyone. For people with no financial buffer, it means they face incredible struggles and hardship. We are definitely seeing more people come to Hatfield Foodbank.” 

On average, over the last three months Hatfield Foodbank have fed 60 households a week compared to the first three months of the year when that was just under 40 households a week. 

In fact, this last month it has risen again to around 70 households relying on food from the foodbank each week. This equates to a 48 per cent rise in the number of people that were fed by Hatfield Foodbank when comparing April to September this year with the same period last year, according to the foodbank.

Dominic added: “We are able to continue to provide much needed food and toiletries to those in need thanks to generous donations from individuals, organisations and businesses. This support comes through donations of items and also financial gifts.

"We are very grateful for the fantastic harvest donations we received from local schools and churches recently."

The foodbank will also host a three-day collection event at the Tesco Extra in Hatfield from Thursday, December 1 to Saturday, December 3, where people can donate items that they most need.  

For more information about how to get help or give help, visit https://hatfield.foodbank.org.uk/ 

To be a part of the survey, go to: https://tinyurl.com/4rma6s6d