Mission
What we want to see happen in the longer term (Our vision)
To end hunger and poverty in the UK.
What we intend to do to help make this happen (Our Aims)
The prevention or relief of poverty in Colchester and the surrounding area, in particular, but not exclusively, by providing emergency food supplies to individuals in need and/or charities or other organisations working to prevent or relieve poverty.
What we do (Our Mission)
The Foodbank exists to prevent or relieve poverty in Colchester and the surrounding area, in particular, but not exclusively, by providing emergency food supplies to individuals with assessed short-term need and/or to charities or other organisations working towards the same aims.
How we help (Delivering for the common good /public benefit)
Colchester Foodbank provides short-term emergency support to individuals and families in a crisis within Colchester and the surrounding area, including Brightlingsea. We also work with other local food banks and regularly review our areas of coverage in response to need. To qualify for help, families and individuals must be referred by a professional from a partner organisation, such as Social Services, One Support, Community Mental Health Team, local housing groups, Citizens Advice Bureau and Age UK. We also work with Churches, Schools, GP Surgeries, philanthropic individuals and businesses. The need for referral to Colchester Foodbank is usually caused by a complex combination of events that may include factors like benefits delays, unemployment, illness and domestic violence. Where possible we refer or signpost people to relevant agencies, so they can get the additional help they need. This enables them to more fully understand the reality of their issues and how to get through them, seeking appropriate support and targeted transitional intervention. Also for us, to be able to monitor our longer term social impact.
The way we behave while doing what we do (Our values)
Colchester Foodbank is committed to community built on diversity, tolerance, cooperation, and mutual respect; we want to contribute to society and demonstrate social responsibility. Our values are important to us, and we aim to live them out in all areas of our work.
We are passionate about what we do and the difference it makes in the lives of others
We are compassionate; we give selflessly and put others before ourselves
We hold ourselves accountable: we acknowledge and assume responsibility for actions, decisions, and consequences – as individuals and as an organisation.
We are innovative, with the ambition to pursue new and creative ideas that have the potential to change lives for the better.
We empower and encourage staff, volunteers and clients to take the initiative and achieve their best, in a safe environment where mistakes are viewed as learning opportunities.
Category
Poverty Alleviation
Additional Information
Our Annual Report is available from the Charity Commission Website here:
http://apps.charitycommission.gov.uk/Showcharity/RegisterOfCharities/DocumentList.aspx?RegisteredCharityNumber=1152387&SubsidiaryNumber=0&DocType=AccountList
Our most recent annual report which includes the accounts covering the year 2016 are available from the Charity Commission website. In our yet to be examined 2017 we ended the year with a surplus of ≈£700, taking our reserves up to approximately £19,425. We have put £10k from our reserves into a Premises fund to help us raise funds to buy a building as in the long run this will reduce our overheads and save our charity money allowing us to do more with less in the climate of increasing austerity. By the end of May 2018, we have raised an additional £10,119 for our premises fund but we need to raise £200k to achieve enough for a deposit for the commercial mortgage we need.
In 2017 we provided emergency meals for over 6,300 people in crisis over 500 more than 2016. This Summer we have full Universal Credit roll out, the average Trussell Trust Foodbank has found the trend of demand rising by 30% in 6 months and 52% in twelve months. We are therefore doing what we can now to prepare for much busier years ahead.
Colchester Foodbank charity provides three day emergency food parcels to meet the needs of families and individuals in crisis throughout the Colchester area. Colchester Foodbank currently fulfils its objective of being the default emergency food provider for people in food poverty crisis in the Colchester area. We are mindful of being accessible to clients, restoring dignity to the people who approach us and being responsible stewards of the money and goods entrusted to us to do good with.
We are embedded and well networked within our community especially with local providers of care. We benefit from reduced overheads as our warehouse and main distribution point are co-located. We continue to operate within the Trussell Trust model.
To date supply has continued to meet demand thanks to the generosity of churches, individuals, supermarkets and others. We are proactive in meeting anticipated unprecedented demand in Colchester, while we ensure that our operation remains sustainable and resilient, capable of adapting to meet future changes in need. This applies equally to our people (human capital), our financial resources and our work environment.
See our Pound£Aid film: https://youtube.com/watch?v=9ekH4r3_lhg
Just Giving Click to give a one off Donation
http://campaign.justgiving.com/charity/colchester-foodbank/pound-for-a-pound
We appreciate anything you are able to do to help out be it food, toiletries, or gifts of money however small or big the donation. If you feel you would like to regularly and would consider a monthly regular donation please contact me directly.
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https://facebook.com/FoodBankColchester
and if you are willing please invite your friends who you think might like us, to do so!
https://facebook.com/pg/FoodBankColchester/community
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https://Twitter.com/colchfbank
This foodbank is run in partnership with local churches, charities, organisations and individuals in Colchester. Want to know more?
Colchester Foodbank is part of the Trussell Trust.
Registered charity number 1152387 | Registered in England and Wales