Volunteers at a mid Wales food bank are braced for an increase in users ahead of cuts to universal credit and escalating fuel costs.

The £20-a-week increase to universal credit brought in to support those on low incomes during the pandemic is being withdrawn this month, while fuel bills are expected to soar by up to 30% leaving many households facing tough choices as the winter approaches.

Now, organisers at the Llani Pantri in Llanidloes say that many families could be pushed from 'just about managing' to having to choose between heating and eating as the nights draw in.

"It's not just people living on benefits that are affected, its people who are working a couple of jobs and just about making ends meet," said secretary Jo Symanowski.

County Times:  LLANIDLOES, POWYS Volunteers Martin Johnson and Pam Norris in the stock room at Llani Pantri. Volunteers at the Llanidloes food bank, Llani Pantri, photographed on Thuesday, October 14, 2021. Organisers say they are expecting an increase in footfall due LLANIDLOES, POWYS Volunteers Martin Johnson and Pam Norris in the stock room at Llani Pantri. Volunteers at the Llanidloes food bank, Llani Pantri, photographed on Thuesday, October 14, 2021. Organisers say they are expecting an increase in footfall due

"We want to try and take away some of that impression that it's just people who are on benefits who may be struggling - we all get stuck from time to time.

"We're expecting more people to come in because of the Universal Credit cut and also because furlough has ended as businesses settle back in we're expecting people to be on reduced hours, and in the run up to Christmas it's going to be hard.

"We have a lot of people who just visit us once, it may be that there was a delay in getting paid or I know that with Universal Credit there's a five or six-week wait before you can get it, so we have people who have popped in once and we've got others who we see more regularly but everybody's welcome."

Started as a community response to the pandemic in 2019, the food bank's team of trustees and volunteers now play a vital community support role in Llanidloes.

Currently anywhere between 10 and 15 volunteers help keep the Pantri stocked but the group says they're always on the look-out for more help ahead of what may be a busy run-up to Christmas.

County Times: LLANIDLOES, POWYS Volunteer Martin Johnson puts together food parcels. Volunteers at the Llanidloes food bank, Llani Pantri, photographed on Thuesday, October 14, 2021. Organisers say they are expecting an increase in footfall due to a cut in universalLLANIDLOES, POWYS Volunteer Martin Johnson puts together food parcels. Volunteers at the Llanidloes food bank, Llani Pantri, photographed on Thuesday, October 14, 2021. Organisers say they are expecting an increase in footfall due to a cut in universal

The organisation is also accepting donations at their store at the former Post Office building on Longbridge Street, opposite the Spar.

"We just want to let people know that we're still here," Ms Symanowski added. "We are open every single Thursday from 10.30 to 2.30. You don't need a referral, just drop in if you need feeding.

"We don't ask any questions. If your benefits are low, if your universal credit has been cut, if you've not been paid – whatever the reason if you need food, drop in and we're here to help."