Getting support from our foodbank

“The volunteers at the foodbank 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 how difficult it can be to ask for help with emergency food.  That’s why we welcome everyone who is referred to us with compassion, kindness and dignity.

Meeting your immediate needs

We’ll have been sent your online foodbank voucher by the person or agency who’s referred you. One of our team will phone you, so that we can arrange to deliver seven days of emergency food to your home as soon as possible.

We want to make sure that we give you the right food to meet your needs, so please do let us know if you have any special dietary requirements or allergies, for example, gluten free, halal or vegetarian.

We also provide loo roll, washing up liquid, laundry tabs and hand soap with every food parcel, and we can add additional items you might need like nappies, sanitary products, toothpaste and toothbrushes, shower gel and shampoo. Just let us know what you need – we’re here to help.

Providing further support and free, expert advice

When our food bank team phone you, we’ll listen to you and ask if there’s any other support we can offer – including to help you resolve the difficulties which have meant you needed to use the food bank. We’re specially trained to know about local services and offer practical guidance so that you have access to the right support.

We also have a Foodbank Advice Project, in partnership with Citizens Advice Wandsworth, and we can refer you to one of our expert and friendly food bank advisers if helpful. They can support you with advice and casework to sort out problems with benefit payments, housing, employment, debt, EU Settled Status – and also with difficult family problems like domestic abuse.

We work closely with mental health support services, 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, 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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