Episode Monday 29/08/22. Well done scriptwriters

Hard hitting - and needed saying

I know I'm a sad at the moment but it had me in tears for all those being so beaten down at the moment. I always think the writers don't dwell but the do hit the moment.

I'm a sad I'm sad

I assume this is in reference to The Archers episode re. food banks. Only thing that did worry me was that Tracy was taken and was able to be given a good sized shopping bag with items that she required. This will only confirm to some idiots that anyone can just walk in, 'off the street' and get Food Bank stuff.

I know it mentioned, (in passing) the need for normal requirement of a referral. But seemed to make out that the voluntary staff at food banks can side-step these. Not in my experience, (although, doubtless, in Ambridge the rules are different).

Think it also needs to make the point that foodbanks are often needed (tragically), by people who are actually employed, not just those out of work.

Nothing, literally NOTHING, more condemns the Tory Governments of the last twelve years than this ever-increasing need of food banks to both employed and unemployed.

It was Franbern. I asked GNHQ to add "The Archers" to the title. So far, it hasn't happened.

The need to be referred was mentioned, as you say. Oliver was dealing with it. Those who choose to believe the system is misused will not have their minds changed by one episode of the Archers. I thought it was Borchester, by the way, not Ambridge itself but I could be wrong. There are, of course, people in the household who are employed ... well, Jazzer currently. Tracy has been at work and will, I have no doubt, be looking for a job. If they go through the trauma of benefits, they will also shine a light on a very poor and overly complicated system. Although, I would have thought Tracy would be getting housing benefits even while she worked at the Chicken Factory. They could be overcrowded now, of course - another worry. They could use the wonderful "Diary of" thread on GN to see how difficult, intimidating and anxiety-making it is.

I could not agree more with your last paragraph. Although it will not please everyone, I think the scriptwriters are doing a good job at this point in encouraging people not to wait to get help. I think we need more of the sort of information you put in your post. It would be worth having more episodes from the Food Bank with conversations that tell us the details.