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What does life look like when the pub lights go out for good? We sit with Dino, a veteran publican whose seven-day workweeks ended in lockdown, and follow his path through empty cupboards, mounting debt, and the quiet bravery of asking for help. His story is raw, practical, and full of heart: batch cooking stews into freezer tubs, turning chicken fillets into comfort curries, and finding a brew and a chat at a community food hub when the world felt small.

We explore how The Bread and Butter Thing’s neighbourhood model lowers grocery costs while restoring dignity, with volunteers and members sharing the same line and the same laughs. Dino arrives early to lend a hand, not for a badge, but for belonging. Along the way, StepChange becomes a lifeline for managing old credit card balances that no longer add up, showing how debt advice and affordable food work together to create breathing room. The maths is stark—sometimes £20 left after rent and energy, roughly 70p a day—but the solutions are human: kindness from friends, energy top-ups, and a welcoming space that turns isolation into community.

Our conversation looks beyond crisis to the architecture of resilience. We talk practical tips for stretching ingredients, the stigma that keeps people away from help, and why designing support to feel like a local shop matters for mental health and dignity. We even dare each other to try a 70p-a-day challenge, not as a stunt, but to understand the grind so many face. If you care about food poverty, community, and realistic ways to help, this story will stay with you.

If this resonates, follow and subscribe, share the episode with someone who needs it, and leave a review so others can find these stories. And if you or a friend could benefit from affordable food and a friendly hub, head to breadandbutterthing.org to find your nearest location.