Visiting our welcome centres

Once you’re referred to us, we’ll receive your online foodbank voucher directly from the person who’s referred you. They may give you a E-voucher number or a paper copy of the online voucher, but this isn’t essential.

Once you’ve been referred, please come to one of our food bank welcome centres that’s most convenient for you.

At the food bank centre, you’ll be welcomed by one of our trained volunteers. We’ll sit down together, and you’ll be offered  free hot and cold drinks and something to eat. We want to make sure that we give you the right food to meet your needs, so a volunteer will go through the list of what’s in a food parcel with you. Do please let us know if you have any special requirements or allergies, for example, gluten free, halal or vegetarian – or just anything you or your family really need.

We’ll also offer additional toiletries and essentials, like nappies, sanitary products, laundry tablets, loo roll, toothpaste and toothbrushes, shower gel and shampoo. Just let us know what you need – we’re here to help.

Free advice and support

Our volunteers will also ask if there’s any other support we can offer to try help ease the hardship you’re facing.

For instance, our Foodbank Advice Project (partnership with Citizens Advice Wandsworth) can support you with expert, confidential advice and casework to sort out problems, for instance with benefit payments and deductions, rent arrears, employment, debt – and also with difficult family problems like domestic abuse.

We can also give you information about other emergency financial help available from Wandsworth Council to Wandsworth residents (including if you’ve been placed in temporary accommodation outside of the borough by Wandsworth Council). The Council’s website has lots of useful cost of living information, or you can phone their Cost of Living Hub free on 0808 175 3339 between 9am and 5pm, Monday to Friday.

We work closely with wellbeing and mental health support services too, as we know that many people having to use a food bank are feeling stressed, anxious, depressed, and sometimes even having thoughts around suicide. You’re not alone, and we’d love to help you access the support you need to start to feel better.

If you’re struggling with your mental health today, please tell your GP or mental health support worker if you have one. You can also contact the local mental health support service called Talk Wandsworth yourself, using this short online self-referral form or by phoning 020 3513 6264.

In an emergency, or if there is an immediate risk of self-harm or injury, please:

• Call NHS 111
• Call emergency services 999
• Go to your local accident and emergency services

 

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