Get Help
Visiting a Food Bank
You will be welcomed by volunteers who will help you with food, welfare benefits and debt advice.
A note on the Trussell Trust’s referral system.
People are referred to Food Banks in the Trussell Trust network by referral agencies, such as health visitors, schools, social workers, and organisations such as Citizens Advice. These agencies assess people for financial hardship before referring them to a Food Bank. The Trussell Trust’s data collection system flags when a person has had more than three vouchers in a six-month period.
This is intended to act as a prompt for the Food Bank to check with the referral agency that the person is being offered all the support available to help address the underlying cause of crisis. If the referral agency confirms this is the case, the Food Bank will continue to provide additional food parcels as needed.
Occasionally, during times of increased pressure on food stocks, Food Banks do impose a voucher limit – usually somewhere between three and five vouchers in six months.
“The volunteers at the Food Bank were so lovely, they listened to me and made me feel human again. It was the first place I didn’t feel judged.”
We know that crisis can strike anyone and we also understand how difficult it can be to think about walking through a Food Bank door. That’s why our oodbank volunteers aim to welcome everyone who comes to the Food Bank with compassion, kindness and a listening ear.
Meeting your needs
Your foodbank voucher will be exchanged for three days of emergency food. We want to make sure that we give you the right food to meet your needs, so please do let our volunteers know if you have any special dietary requirements or allergies, for example, gluten free, halal or vegetarian.
Preparing your food
Whilst your food parcel is being prepared, a volunteer will offer you a warm drink and a biscuit. They will also be available if you would like to have a chat. Your food parcel will be packed into supermarket carrier bags. If you prefer to bring your own bags those can be used instead.
Practical guidance and support
Food Bank volunteers take the time to listen and support you. They are specially trained to know about local services and offer practical guidance so that you have access to the right support, helping you to break out of crisis.