The UK feels like a hellhole right now, that’s no secret. It’s no wonder young people feel disillusioned when we’ve gone through three Tory Prime Ministers in 12 months, and landlords and energy bosses are some of the only people that seem to be able to afford to pay their rent or heat their homes. One 2022 report showed that only 19 per cent of young adults in the UK have faith in British democracy, and fair enough.

Sadly, those we know that are struggling to pay rent or find work are just the tip of the iceberg. For the hundreds of food banks across the UK that are reporting their busiest days on record (a 50 per cent increase in use just this year), the situation is desperate. “Many sections of society haven’t realised how disastrous the current situation is,” says Fred, who’s worked for a south London foodbank for several years. “People are rejecting potatoes as they cannot afford the gas [to cook them]. We are living in a society hurtling back hundreds of years to a time of cruelty and disregard for the poorest in our society”.

It’s not just Christmas and the cold weather that’s causing the rise. “The current levels of poverty are a political decision and are by no means a result of the Ukraine war or global inflation,” says Fred. The numbers say it all. Figures released in 2019 showed that the number of people using emergency food parcels grew by 3900 per cent in the nine years of Tory rule from 2010. Meanwhile, food bank need has increased by 81 per cent in the past five years according to Trussell Trust, the largest food bank charity in the UK.

“The cost of living emergency is impacting all of us, but for people on the lowest incomes, it’s simply impossible”, says Emma Revie, chief executive at the Trussell Trust. “For the first time, need for emergency food is outstripping donations as the cost of living emergency is leading to a drastic increase in the number of people turning to food banks for support”. 

While it’s easy to feel hopeless, it’s not totally out of our control. Instead of retreating into a quagmire of despair and TikTok, there are some very easy ways we can help support each other and create change – not just for Christmas, but beyond that too. 

DONATE (AND GET OTHER PEOPLE TO) 

Obviously everyone’s skint, that’s the point. But if you do have any cash to spare, consider making a donation, or use it to buy some food that you can drop off at your local supermarket. “Every time you go shopping, stick a tin of something or a bag of rice into the donation box”, says Fred. “This will go directly to someone in need within about a week. It is the single most effective way to help someone in need”. Try to include anything that has a long shelf life, like UHT milk, long-life fruit juice, tinned meat, fish and veg, sponge puddings, custard and rice pudding.

While you’re at it, see if you can get your family involved. Could you try and wrangle some fivers off your distant relatives during Christmas dinner? Could you ask your neighbours if they have any unopened food left over that you could drop off at your local centre post-Christmas? Donations in the new year will make all the difference. 

GET INVOLVED AT YOUR LOCAL FOOD BANK

While food banks tend to have a rush of volunteers up to Christmas, post-Christmas is always the time that help is needed the most. “If you believe you have the time to volunteer to support your community, get in touch with your local food bank to find out more about the opportunities they have available”, says Emma. “You can make a world of difference to people in your area.” Roles include food parcel packers, sorters and drivers. And who knows, you might feel better for getting out of the house too.

You can go visit the Trussell Trust’s official website to find your nearest centre, or search online for your nearest independent centre.

FIND LOCAL ORGANISATIONS

There are endless community groups and charities across the country that are always looking for people to get involved. Crisis is busy supporting those facing homelessness over the festive period and beyond, and has volunteer vacancies across the country. You can also head to Shelter to help fight for a fairer housing system. But for smaller community groups, a great place to start is your local council website, which will list organisations and ways you can help out in its Cost of Living section. Warmspaces is a brilliant place to find your nearest community centres, shelters and kitchens, where you can help out or go yourself if you need support. 

There are also thousands of mutual aid groups that were set up during COVID and are still going strong (head to this website to find your local one), where you can support your neighbours and find out some of the more urgent local issues. 

DON’T GIVE UP ON POLITICS

“The Conservatives have implemented decision after decision to siphon money away from the vulnerable,” says Fred. “The second best thing you can do is help out. The first best is to not vote Tory”. Government action, like putting a stop to unaffordable housing development and instead investing directly in social housing; instating windfall taxes on energy companies; and fining for water companies that discharge waste (this could be used to subsidise water bills for the most in need), could all make transformational differences to society. Not to mention simple fixes, like removing the benefit cap, reinstating a £20 per week uplift for those on benefits, and paying public sector staff fairly (it’s a shocking reality that some hospitals currently have in-house food banks for nurses).

Yes, the current political situation feels like a bad fever dream. But we can make a difference by continuing to push for change. In short: keep talking to your friends, family, classmates and colleagues about these issues. Join protests. Sign petitions. Help where you’re able to and try to stay engaged. And, obviously, remember to vote in any election you can – even if it feels pointless.

Join Dazed Club and be part of our world! You get exclusive access to events, parties, festivals and our editors, as well as a free subscription to Dazed for a year. Join for £5/month today.