**Droylsden & District Foodbank** **(A Charitable Incorporated Organisation) Charity number 1159438** **Trustees Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2025** **Charity Name** Droylsden & District Foodbank **Charity registration number** 1159438 ## **Board of Trustees** Mrs Patricia Catterall Mrs Alison Ferriday Mrs Glynis Shaw Mr Peter Feeley Mrs Veronica Warrington Mrs Gwen Barr Mr Stephen Williams Revd John Hemsworth (Chair) Mrs Giovanna Palmieri Mr Anthony Ellis ## **Partner churches** St Mary’s Droylsden St Stephen’s Droylsden St Martin’s Droylsden St Andrew’s Droylsden Droylsden Methodist Dream Centre **Website:** https://droylsdendistrict.foodbank.org.uk **Contact:** info@ **droylsdendistrict** . **foodbank** . **org** . **uk** ## **Structure, Government & Management** Governing Document/Constitution Charitable Incorporated Organisation Registered 2 December 2014 Trustee selection method Election by Trustees ## **Charity Objectives** To relieve persons in Droylsden and local surrounding areas that are in financial hardship in such other ways as the trustees from time to time think fit, in particular, but not exclusively by: - a) providing emergency food, essential toiletries, and household items to individuals and families in need and/or for distribution by charities or other organisations working to prevent or relieve poverty b) such other means, including (but not limited to) the provision of support or signposting to relevant information and other advisory services ## **Aims of the Charity** Our aims are to assist in alleviating poverty through the provision of food parcels to those in crisis, in partnership with local care agencies who refer clients in crisis to us. By signposting to care agencies, advice services and other support agencies, we aim to help resolve a client’s immediate crisis, which is causing their need to use the food bank. Anyone in need can be referred to the food bank. ## **Charitable Activities** Droylsden & District Foodbank has now been in operation since December 2013. We work in partnership with six local churches all who provide volunteers and food donations. We continue to work in partnership with the Trussell and follow their operational procedures. The Foodbank provides 3 days of emergency food to those who have been issued with a voucher. Referrals are made electronically by agencies who have identified people as being in crisis. These agencies vary from national organisations, such as Citizens Advice and the Probation Service to schools, children’s centres and local charities working with specific demographic groups such as victims of domestic violence or homelessness. During 2025 the Foodbank continued to partner with Tameside South and Longdendale Foodbank to provide direct access to a Citizens Advice adviser through the Financial Inclusion project. The adviser will assist the client with benefit checks, debt, bereavement or other areas as needed. This project will come to an end during 2026 but plans are in place to see further grant support for it to continue. ## **Achievements and Performance** ## **Overview** For Droylsden & District Foodbank 2025 has seen an increase of over 9% on the number of vouchers fulfilled and the number of people fed. During 2025 we fulfilled 723 vouchers from 420 unique households. The average number of visits from each household was therefore 1.72. From this average figure we can see that for many families we are the answer to a short-term crisis. There are some households that need longer term support but this is in exceptional circumstances. There were 327 first time referrals and for these families making the initial step to ask for support will have been a big decision. The referral agency they spoke to will have understood their individual circumstance and offered additional support where appropriate. The total number of people fed was 1872 which included 741 children. The main reasons for clients requiring the support of the Foodbank continues to be changes and delays to welfare benefit payments. Other reasons include low income, debt, ill health, homelessness and domestic abuse. The Trustees agreed to purchase vouchers for the Iceland store in £10 denominations. These are given to families with children to supplement their food parcels and to enable them to shop for items relevant to their family. This initiative has been well received by families and will continue into 2026. ## **Stock levels** The permanent collection point in Tesco Droylsden is well supported by shoppers. The annual national collection at the store provides a boost to our stock levels and in 2025 we collected 743kgs of food which is a 25% increase on the 2024 collection. We have however noted that donations through the store have reduced during the year. The local churches continue to support us with donations as do the local schools at harvest time and Christmas. Businesses and individuals also donate food and personal hygiene items during the year. A local company donates toilet rolls on a regular basis. As part of the governments Household Support Fund allocation the foodbank received a grant from Tameside MBC. This enabled us to purchase stock to supplement food donations made. Statistics were provided to Tameside to advise on how the grant had benefitted the families in need of our services. The stock recorded into the warehouse during 2025 was 9,930 kgs and stock out was 13,492 kgs. As donations do not cover our demand we purchase additional food items and in 2025 the weight of food purchased was 2,500kgs. The stock level at 31[st] December 2025 was 3056.7 kgs ## **Operational issues** One of our major challenges during 2025 has again been the status of the warehouse where we both store our food and distribute to our clients. The rear of the unit, which is the distribution area, has suffered from a badly leaking flat roof. Tameside MBC worked to fix the problem and we hope have rectified the problem. This has not been an easy task but we are grateful to the various Tameside departments for their support. We are also working with the landlord of our unit to find an alternative site for our warehouse and distribution centre which we hope will remain within Droylsden precinct. This has been an ongoing project for more than 2 years. If any client wishes to make an appointment to speak with the Citizens Advice adviser they are directed to the front of the warehouse where the appointment can be made in private. ## **Volunteers** The Foodbank has no paid staff and is run entirely by volunteers. Many of the volunteers have been with the Foodbank from the start covering positions such as Project Manager, Distribution centre sessions, treasurer and warehouse management. Although the Project Manager indicated their wish to step down from this position no replacement has been identified and therefore, she will remain in place with the support of volunteers. We have welcomed a couple of new volunteers who have been recruited under the Safer Recruitment process. A number of volunteers have attended Trussell training and Greater Manchester Foodbank meetings. ## **Summary of financial position** There are generous cash supporters of the Foodbank, some giving regularly by Standing Order and others with donations throughout the year. Total receipts for the calendar year 2025 were £15,835 (2024 £17,388) Total outgoings were £13,615 (2024: £12,719) The balance at 31 December 2025 was £45,519 (2024:£43,299) The Trustees have designated the sum of £10,000 to be held in reserve for future stock purchases. Trustees receive regular reports outlining the charity’s financial position. ## **And finally** After 12 years the Droylsden & District Foodbank continues to be supported by the community and remains an integral part of emergency food provision throughout the area. It is a credit to our community, the region and indeed the network as a whole. 2025 has been a challenging but rewarding year for all connected to the foodbank. Wider publicity has thrown a spotlight on food poverty and the cost-of-living challenges. Droylsden & District Foodbank has met these challenges and will continue to serve our community. A huge thank you goes to our many volunteers who work tirelessly to maintain the weekly service we provide to our clients. Their dedication, support for each other and sense of humour defines our sessions and without them 1872 people, including 741 children would not have been fed. Alongside Trussell we look to a future where all can afford the essentials and there will no longer be a need for foodbanks in the UK. DROYLSDEN & DISTRI￿ FOODBANK ACCOUNTS INCOME & EXPENDtfuRE ACCOUNT at 31st Det 2025 INCOME CJsh Donatiof4 3813.75 1187.66 1173.811 381&75 1187.66 117&80 JusiGivillg SttipeGIveasY￿ knve Topuk%Trus￿l Tr￿￿1 Grants Vouch2rs Gift A41 1069.84 85(Wl.(Y) L¥J co"" 1(kn9.84 IKJ Total EXPENDNU General IS3.( 30&43 1750. 24.78 J53.( 3LX.43 179). 24.78 srwk Vouthers StatiO￿ry Posts8e Phone topup 1n5urèncE 228.50 660.65 359.22 457. 955*03 228.50 atss 359.28 457. 9S53.03 11.75 Voluntsert05tS Sundr￿5 Totsi 1361> CK, N•t BALANCE SHEET T¢rt¥l 1138.72 44380.91 Cash in Hèr (ash In 8ank Vowhers UnFYesented i1￿0￿e UThwesen￿ EKwhJi)Jre Subtoial 15519 OrKn￿& Balartt I&Enet 43259.58 22M05 balance 4551*63 Gffunts2024 bfvd Gmnts2025 TMBCc/omoms ther2925 2J7355 1053.03 1120.52 rrto16ronts 10673.55 9S5U3 J120.$2 Itdard Vourhers 8￿).<￿? this P&>teleFp 8SO. Gertrnl tash Ge￿ra1 bank Total 2550.IX) C4o4ST,dL Pr*lt Date