Book your place for the webinar HERE.
Many churches across the Diocese, along with other community organisations offer some sort of emergency food provision, whether a foodbank, food pantry, food reuse project, or meal provision.
Operating as an essential yet unofficial arm of the UK welfare system, these food projects are increasingly overwhelmed by the emotional toll of supporting communities with a very basic practicality of having enough to eat every day.
“A failure to adequately meet the needs of people using food support can have punishing consequences for volunteers and staff in emergency food support who are forced to make difficult decisions about who gets food support and who doesn’t.”
Dr Walker’s research reveals a troubling rise in moral distress, burnout, and trauma among frontline workers—issues compounded by growing food insecurity and the lack of systemic support.
In this session, Dr Walker will explore:
The scale and impact of moral injury and ethical conflicts in food support settings
The deep psychological effects on both providers and recipients of food aid
Why urgent national action is needed to address this hidden crisis
This webinar is essential for anyone working or volunteering with churches alongside community support, public health, policy, or mental health—and for all those concerned about the human cost of an unjust food system.
About the Speaker:
Dr Carl Walker is psychologist with over 25 years of experience in academia, public health, and community wellbeing. He is also a co-founder of the Alliance for Dignified Food Support, advocating for systemic change and dignity in food provision.