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“I feel I’m giving something back to society”: constructing the ‘active citizen’ and responsibilising foodbank use

Garthwaite, K.

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Authors

K. Garthwaite



Abstract

Foodbanks and other forms of charitable welfare provision are fast becoming an established feature of the UK social security system. Drawing on over two years of ethnographic observation in a Trussell Trust foodbank in North East England, this paper explores the relationship between the construction of the ‘active citizen’ and lived experiences of foodbank users and volunteers. Findings show how participants’ experiences and behaviour challenges popular political and policy narratives that individuals are using foodbanks because of poor lifestyle choices. The internalisation or rejection of this narrative is then examined, contrasting the different forms of citizenship that arise. Through the significant work that goes into living on a low income, people both aligned with and challenged the ideas underpinning ‘active citizenship’.

Citation

Garthwaite, K. (2017). “I feel I’m giving something back to society”: constructing the ‘active citizen’ and responsibilising foodbank use. Social Policy and Society, 16(2), 283-292. https://doi.org/10.1017/s1474746416000543

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Aug 22, 2016
Online Publication Date Dec 14, 2016
Publication Date Apr 1, 2017
Deposit Date Nov 8, 2016
Publicly Available Date Nov 8, 2016
Journal Social Policy and Society
Print ISSN 1474-7464
Electronic ISSN 1475-3073
Publisher Cambridge University Press
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 16
Issue 2
Pages 283-292
DOI https://doi.org/10.1017/s1474746416000543

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Copyright Statement
This article has been published in a revised form in Social policy and society https://doi.org/10.1017/s1474746416000543. This version is free to view and download for private research and study only. Not for re-distribution, re-sale or use in derivative works. © Cambridge University Press 2016




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