Finding out about the work of local Food Banks

Lucy met with staff and volunteers to get a better understanding of how the Food Banks are run and how people are referred there for support. She also wanted to gain insight about the impact of food poverty on people’s health and wellbeing and to find out about the issues the clients have with regards to health and social care services.

Poole Food Bank

My visit to Poole Food Bank was the first time that I had ever been to a Food Bank, and I really didn’t have any idea what to expect. I was welcomed by Gill, the Manager, who introduced me to the rest of the team. They were busy setting up and getting the storeroom organised as they had just had a delivery.

Gill was passionate about the work she does, and it was a pleasure to listen and learn about her experiences. She gave me a really good understanding of how people are referred to the Food Bank via housing officers, Social Services, schools, churches, and voluntary organisations; they are all able to issue vouchers so that clients can access the food bank. There is a high level of need in Poole and Gill explained some of the situations clients had found themselves in that led to them needing support, such as benefits being stopped, the cost of living crisis and rising energy bills.

I was quite surprised to hear that in addition to providing food, they also offer wider support to their clients – an outreach worker from the Citizens Advice Bureau attends the Food Bank and another person offers advice around debt management.

Opening hours:
Tuesday to Thursday, 9.30am-12.30pm and Friday 9.30am to 12pm.

Location:
Jimmy’s Place, St James’ Church Centre, Church Street, Poole BH15 1JP

Donations requested include:
Tinned rice pudding
Tinned meats – chicken in white sauce, beef/ham, hot dogs
Tinned tuna fish
Squash
UHT milk
Washing up liquid

Christchurch Food Bank

My visit to Christchurch Food Bank was a lovely experience. They offer so much to the local community, far more than just food in an emergency. I met Tracy, the Manager, and Sarah, the Deputy Manager. After hearing about all the different services they provide and the many ways they help people, I think they are more like social workers.

As well as offering the Food Bank service, providing food, toiletries, pet food etc, they also offer a Home Equip Service, which is set up to turn an empty property into a home and a safe space for families and those escaping domestic violence. They receive referrals for this service via the housing department, Social Services, schools, churches and children’s centres.

They also provide debt management and budget coaching, they help people who are on their way-out of homelessness and provide a Social Supper Club where people can have a hot meal together to chat openly in a safe environment. They also provide low level advocacy support by helping people fill in forms, make appointments and deal with housing issues. The local Social Services team work closely alongside them to help get the right support to people. I was amazed by and heartened at just how far they go to help people.

Opening hours:
Tuesday 10am-12pm, Thursday 11am-1pm, and Friday 2-4pm.

Location:
St Joe’s, The Old Chapel, 67a Purewell, Christchurch BH23 1EH.

Donations requested include:
Boxes of cereal
UHT milk
Tinned tuna
Crisps

Southbourne Food Bank

When I visited Southbourne, Tammy the Manager was busy getting everything ready for the Harvest Festival. She explained that every year, in September and October, the local churches, schools, care homes, community organisations and places of work, reach out to their communities to raise awareness of food poverty and collect and donate food and basics to the Food Banks as part of the Harvest Festival. Tammy was pleased with the amount of donations they had received so far and the fact that this would help people in the community who were in a food emergency situation. Tammy is fairly new in post and is really keen to help make a difference and support local people.

Opening hours:
Monday 3-4.30pm, Wednesday and Friday 10.30am-12pm

Location:
Immanuel United Reformed Church, 120 Southbourne Road, Bournemouth BH6 3QJ

Donations requested include:
Soups
Tinned beans, spaghetti, potatoes, and meats
Tinned rice pudding and fruits
Ready-made custard
Long life milk and milk alternatives
Dried pasta/spaghetti
Biscuits
Jelly
Squash
Jam/marmalades

Wimborne Food Bank

When I arrived, the hall was very busy and crowded. The volunteers were helping make up food parcels and several clients were already waiting to be seen. Sharon, the Manager, was pleased that due to the Harvest Festival their supplies were fully stocked and this was good to see.

Sharon explained that there’s always something to prepare for and they will soon be starting to make up the Christmas hampers and school holiday parcels. Throughout the year they run fundraising events, workshops and social events. I got the impression that there’s never a quiet moment at the Wimborne Food Bank!

Opening hours:
Wednesday 10am-12m and Friday 2-4pm

Location:
Leigh Park Community Centre, Gordon Road, Wimborne BH21 2AP

Donations requested include:
Porridge oats
Tinned carrots
Jars of coffee
Washing pads
Washing up liquid
Rice
Deodorant

Blandford Food Bank

At Blandford Food Bank I met Gail who was overseeing a delivery. She explained where their donations come from and told me about the variety of people who they support, including people experiencing homelessness, those escaping domestic abuse, those with unexpected bills to pay or who are unable to work.

I asked who they receive most of their referrals from. Gail explained that anyone who would like to access a Food Bank needs a voucher which they can access via Social Services, schools, churches, housing officers and various community organisations. Gail invited Healthwatch Dorset to register as a referrer, and I’m pleased to say that anyone who is in a food emergency crisis can now obtain a voucher from us.

The Food Bank has recently introduced a Thursday afternoon Friendship Club, to provide a warm friendly space for anybody to pop along to keep warm, have a chat, make new friends and play a game or two over a hot drink and cake.

They are extremely busy leading up to the final week before Christmas trying to make sure that everybody gets what they want in the food hampers

Opening hours:
Tuesday and Thursday 10am-12pm
Friendship Club, Thursdays 2-4pm

Location:
United reformed Church, Whitecliff Mill Street, Blandford Forum DT11 7DQ

Donations requested include:
Coffee
Tinned meat
Tinned veg
Tinned potatoes
Washing up liquid