Crossed Grain

SUPPORTER NEWS | 3 DID YOU KNOW? Thanks to your incredible support, our experts have helped an amazing people via our Helpline services last year! This means an average of 70 people per working day reach out for support via phone, email or website. We couldn’t offer this support without your kind donations! Our Evidence and Policy team have been working on a project to better understand the additional challenges faced by those with coeliac disease and other gluten related conditions amidst the cost of living crisis. We spoke to our Evidence and Policy Advisor, Fiona Newsome , about what our community can expect from Coeliac UK’s upcoming Cost of Gluten Free Food report, a project which couldn’t be funded without the generosity of you, our supporters. Tell us about the report We have researched the cost of gluten free staples compared to gluten containing equivalents, like bread, pasta, cereal and crackers, and put this into perspective by comparing the prices of a full food shopping basket from five different supermarkets. Why is this such a crucial project for our members and supporters? It’s really important for us to understand the true cost burden on our community so we can best help them to access the affordable gluten free food they need. We will use this report to raise awareness of the challenges and advocate for better access to gluten free staples – whether it’s with retailers, manufacturers or policy makers, this research will help strengthen our case. What are the project plans for 2023? With your ongoing support we’ll call on policymakers and retail partners to do more to support those who need to live gluten free. We’re writing to the UK Government and commissioners across England advocating for expanded access to gluten free prescriptions, supporting the launch of a new top-up card prescribing scheme in Wales and continuing to support GP and Pharmacy led schemes in Northern Ireland and Scotland respectively. The report will be published later in March. To keep up to date with the latest news on our campaigning, visit our website www.coeliac.org.uk/news Campaign update: Cost of living crisis Fiona Newsome, Evidence and Policy Advisor 19,000 Leaving a lasting legacy We are delighted to have partnered with the National Free Wills Network to be able to offer you a free, solicitor- written simple Will. This network gives you access to hundreds of reputable solicitors across the country, to make it easier for you to tailor your Will to your needs. We would like to say a huge thank you to all our members and supporters who have pledged to leave a gift in their Will to Coeliac UK. Your kind generosity will make a difference to future generations impacted by coeliac disease and ensure that we can continue our important work and vital services for those who need it. Find out more here: www.coeliac.org.uk/free-wills-network or contact caroline.norris@coeliac.org.uk