About
Lewisham Foodbank
Lewisham Foodbank has been operating since October 2012.
Our warehouse and team office is located in Forest Hill, and serves our five client centres in Catford, Deptford, Downham, Forest Hill and Lewisham centre. We have six members of staff:
Sarah Vitty: Project Manager
Glenn Elliott/Keith Rosson: Warehouse & Logistics Manager
Caro Swan: Volunteer, Comms & Donor Manager
Hannah Clark: Community Engagement Officer & Administrator
Alex Martini: Warehouse Operative
Sandy Ramsay: Finance Officer
None of us could do what we do without almost 200 incredible volunteers.
OUR PARTNERS
#MoreThanFood
Because of the ongoing cost of living crisis, many of our clients struggle to afford not only to put food on the table, but are forced into having to make the choice between spending their money on food, fuel or fridges. We work with the following partners who are able to access necessary funding to take the pressure off people a little, along with essential advice and advocacy partners.
Lewisham Foodbank is honoured to be one of Acts 435’s key partners. Acts 435 is a charity that matches referrals to donors, and 100% of what is donated via Acts 435 goes directly to those in need. For example, if one of our clients moves into unfurnished rented accommodation, we can apply for funding via Acts 435 for white goods, and Acts 435 will make an appeal for funding from their supporters. We can also apply for help towards the cost of school uniforms, cookers, beds etc. Here’s a recent story:
I have received the cooker and the fridge freezer, I like them both, they both spacious. (Very nice). Please tell my donors that I am very grateful for their helping hands and donations towards my need and the oil on their head will never run dry. These items mean a lot to me. I can get help with my cooking and put my food in fridge or freezer, I have choices now and save me from going shop everyday and buying take aways and not eating healthy food, now I can eat healthy and peace of mind. Thanks alot for your support Jeanette phoning me. It gives me hope.
We are eternally grateful to Alison, Jeanette, Diana and Sally, our amazing volunteers who work with Acts 435 to secure funding for all our referrals.
Any enquiries about Acts 435 can be emailed to [email protected]
Deptford Reach is part of Thames Reach and we are so grateful for their presence in all our client centres. They are there to offer signposting advice, housing advice, carry out income maximisation checks, make referrals for Acts 435 applications, and much more.
The Latin American Disabled Peoples Project supply us with Spanish speaking advisors at our centres. They offer invaluable support and advice to our Spanish and Portuguese clients. “We can help Lewisham residents by revising their income and benefits entitlement and if necessary we help make applications and benefit reviews in order to increase their income and improve their general wellbeing”
We are thankful for the continued support of The Balcombe Charitable Trust for funding this partnership over the last few years.
We work in partnership with the Fuelbank Foundation supporting clients who need help with gas and electricity. Clients who access the food bank are able to apply for help with fuel costs if they live in Lewisham and don’t pay by direct debit. The Fuelbank Foundation provides people with the financial support and practical advice that they need to get back on their feet.
Any enquiries about Fuelbank can be emailed to [email protected]
South East London Community Energy “works to create a future where south east Londoners have affordable sustainable energy to meet their needs. We are part of a community energy movement that is committed to building a greener, fairer world”. SELCE can support clients – particularly those on low incomes with long term health conditions, older people and young families – to obtain energy advice, and source white goods where appropriate.
Any enquiries about Fuelbank can be emailed to [email protected]
We’re delighted to be work with Therapy 4 Healing in some of our centres. Here’s Michael giving one of our clients at Lewisham Salvation Army a well deserved neck and shoulder massage. These are people who are often carrying the ‘weight of the world’ on their shoulders, but who could never afford a massage to give themselves some relief. This gift of therapeutic touch is just such a special thing to be able to offer to them. We are very grateful.
Other partners
We work closely with Advice Lewisham, Salvation Army Employment Plus and New Direction Lewisham