The new film I, Daniel Blake by Ken Loach, the socially critical director of films such as Kes and The Wind That Shakes The Barley, addresses the current welfare system in the UK, with a portrayal of modern poverty that is so shocking many have found it difficult to believe.
Naturally, many filmgoers who have had their eyes opened to the desperate situation in the UK have been looking for ways to help those less fortunate than themselves, and Islington Foodbank volunteer Susie took the initiative to spread the message of the foodbank to affected viewers of the film.
“I knew that people who watched the film would be likely to feel moved by the tragic and all too real stories depicted, stories about people who have been systematically and cruelly failed by our benefits system with awful consequences. A lot of people would be left wanting to reach out and help but perhaps wouldn’t really know how to. It seemed a good opportunity to publicise ways that people could get involved the foodbank.”
Susie and a couple of friends took it in turns to wait outside local film screenings with leaflets about the foodbank’s work: “It was moving; virtually everyone took a leaflet and thanked us, many people were in tears and several were angry about what they had seen in the film. I believe there has been in increase in donations and offers of help as a result.”