Crossed Grain

2 | SUPPORTER NEWS In March we launched our cost of living campaign with the publication of our report ‘ The Gluten Free Diet: What does it cost and why does it matter? ’ which highlighted the significant financial burden placed on those who need access to gluten free food to stay healthy. Thank you to everyone who has pledged and written to their local MP or Integrated Care Board (ICB) since the report was published. This really does make an enormous difference and we’ve already seen the issue raised in the House of Commons by a number of MPs. We have now launched a survey which aims to capture the prices and availability of gluten free staples: bread, flour mixes and pasta and we need your help! You can complete the survey as many times as you like when you go shopping. The more data we receive back, the stronger our voice will be to drive significant change. Your support with this will be crucial in assisting our conversations with the food industry as we seek to make gluten free food more affordable and more accessible.   Get involved This Summer our campaigning work is the focus for our Summer Raffle. Not only does playing the raffle enable us to advocate for a brighter future for those who need to live gluten free, you can also win incredible cash prizes including a £10,000 first prize! To enter online simply scan the QR code, visit www.coeliac.org.uk/raffle or call the raffle hotline on 01628 511 708 by midnight 6 September 2023. Your support keeps gluten free prescribing on the agenda It’s thanks to you, our generous supporters, that our team can continue to work tirelessly one step at a time to make a lasting positive impact for those who need to live gluten free. We were delighted to note the recent decision by NHS South Yorkshire Integrated Care Board (ICB) to align its gluten free prescribing guidelines to the Coeliac UK England recommendations for all those with a diagnosis of coeliac disease across Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham and Sheffield. This means that those living with coeliac disease in these areas will be able to access gluten free bread and flour mix on prescription, a vital lifeline for those with the condition, particularly during the cost of living crisis. Help make gluten free food more affordable and more accessible Driving improvement for the gluten free community Creating change is at the heart of what we do and your support helps us continue to improve the lives of those who need to live gluten free. Here’s an update on our latest campaign work… The closing date for the survey is Friday 25 August . Find out more and complete the survey by scanning the QR code or visiting www.coeliac.org.uk/availability Our Head of Advocacy, Tristan Humphreys, said: “We encourage all other ICBs who are planning to review their own policies to follow this example. South Yorkshire ICB recognised the important role gluten free prescriptions play in supporting those with coeliac disease and have shown the way for other ICBs across the country.” This incredible breakthrough has only been made possible by your kind donations and with your continued support we hope to help advocate for the same result in further areas across the UK. Find out more about the recent development in Sheffield here: www.coeliac.org.uk/gf-prescribing