A mum has lifted the lid on the stark reality facing families in one of London’s most deprived boroughs, revealing that some are now leaving food outside on balconies because they cannot afford to run a fridge.
Samatha Gager who has lived in Tower Hamlets her entire life, says the cost-of-living crisis is hitting families with children “harder than most people realise”.
The 50-year-old says one of the most alarming issues is the growing number of families struggling to afford basic appliances or the cost of running them.
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“One of the main issues is affording fridges or keeping food and medications cool,” Samantha, a network coordinator for the NHS, told Need To Know.
“Some families rely heavily on specific foods that must be stored safely, and when appliances break or energy costs rise, it creates real anxiety.
“I know families who are worried about running fridges continuously and have to leave food on the balcony to keep it cold.
“At times, parents cut back on their own food or essentials to ensure their child’s specific needs are met.
“I know how it feels because we struggled without support when our children were small.
“I often had to put my children’s needs before my own.
“We’d be worried about how we were going to pay the bills and that we’d lose our home.
“It almost led to my marriage breaking down.”
Samantha says that families are now buying smaller quantities, planning meals meticulously, and doing everything they can to avoid waste.
The mum-of-two said: “Food storage has become more controlled and cautious.
“For families like mine, we cannot always reduce perishables because our children may only eat a limited range of fresh or specific branded foods.
“Instead, we try to minimise waste by buying in smaller quantities, carefully planning meals, and ensuring food is stored correctly.
“Compared to last year, there is more anxiety around making sure nothing spoils, as replacing it is costly and not always straightforward.”
Samantha says parents who have children with additional needs suffer the most.
She said: “Rising costs are particularly challenging for families with additional needs.
“Food is not just about price, many autistic children have sensory sensitivities and limited diets, meaning families often cannot switch to cheaper alternatives easily.
“Electricity costs are also higher because many children rely on devices, lighting, or heating to regulate their environment.
“Housing is another pressure.
“Overcrowded or unstable housing situations can be especially distressing for children who need calm and predictable spaces.”
At the same time, energy bills are soaring.
For many of these households, electricity usage is already higher than average, with children relying on devices, lighting or heating to regulate their environment.
Samantha – who chairs the Tower Hamlets Independent SEND Parent Carer Forum – says that while food banks and community centres exist across the borough, they are under immense pressure and often not equipped to meet the needs of SEND families.
She said: “These services are very busy, and demand has increased significantly.
“Families with additional needs are increasingly relying on them, but the level of demand means that tailored support is not always available, which can make accessing help more difficult.”
Despite this, families are doing their best to support one another, sharing advice, resources and emotional support within their communities.
She added: “More targeted support is needed.
“This could include financial assistance specifically for families with additional needs, access to energy-efficient appliances, and food bank provisions that consider dietary and sensory requirements.
“Training staff at community centres to better support neurodiverse individuals would also make services more accessible.
”The greatest difference would come from stability such as affordable housing, manageable energy costs, and reliable access to suitable food.
“For families with autistic children or young adults with similar disabilities, consistent support that recognises their specific needs would greatly improve daily life and reduce stress for both parents and children.”
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