ANNUAL REPORT
2024
07483 815122
quantockfoodbank@gmail.com 35 Brook Road, Williton, Taunton TA4 4TE
'Good morning, I have returned to work now so will no longer need help from the Quantock Foodbank. Thank you so much for all your support, you are all diamonds and do such a wonderful job xx’
From the Chair
Mr Clive Wooldridge
When I wrote the Chair’s letter last year it was necessarily a little downbeat in respect of the limited progress of the Mobile Pantry, due to the delay on the vehicle arising from factors which were totally beyond our control. The situation we found ourselves in was very frustrating, but I did say also that anything worthwhile was worth waiting for. Consequently, when we launched the Mobile Pantry on the morning of 30th April, despite the inclement weather and having to introduce the Deputy Lieutenant of Somerset from under an umbrella, everyone was really happy, excited, and looking forward to this new part of a hugely successful project. That afternoon the Mobile Pantry made its first visit to client villages and I am happy to report that it was the first of many visits in the nearly six months since.
The brilliant vehicle was not the only technological improvement to the service we offer this year; we also took delivery of an electronic trolley which takes food trays from the Watchet Annexe to the Pantry vehicle, saving volunteers from having to carry heavy trays up the steep ramp to the main road. This was just another example of the thought which has gone into making the Mobile Pantry such a great addition to our already exceptional service made possible by all our volunteers past and present, and without whom we could not continue to offer such a vital service in the Quantock area. A heartfelt thank you to every one of them, and also to the people and organisations who continue to host the food bank in Watchet and the new vehicle in Williton.
I must also thank all our donors. Since we first introduced the idea of setting up a Foodbank in Watchet we have been blessed by the incredibly generous financial donations, as well as time and expertise of so many, and the enormous quantity of provisions flooding in from all of our surrounding communities and individuals which have maintained and strengthened our work. I could not possibly name them all, nor would I embarrass them; they know who they are and they continue their giving year by year. We are greatly indebted to them and we could not do without them!
I will finish this much more upbeat letter by thanking all the trustees for their continued support and by repeating our mantra of the last few years, “Wherever we are, whatever it costs, for as long as it takes.” Without a doubt the Food Pantry, both mobile and static, carries on the excellent work the Foodbank began in 2018 and I feel sure it will continue to operate with great care and compassion, fulfilling the needs of all our clients within the wider Quantock area and its villages. I look forward to next year’s opportunity to list the leaps forward we will have made in the coming year.
TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT
FOR THE PERIOD 1 APRIL 2023 TO 31 MARCH 2024
FOREWORD
The Trustees had two overriding aims during the year. The Quantock Foodbank would play its part in:
Tackling the ongoing crisis of Food Poverty and
Contributing to the reduction in harmful emissions fuelling climate change.
Research published in a working paper, led by the University of Bristol, claims schools have increasingly stepped in and are now the biggest source of charitable food and household aid for families struggling with the cost-of-living crisis. The report, reveals that there are more than 4,000 school-based `food banks’ in primary and secondary schools across England, which equates to one in every five schools running one. The study also found school food banks are more prevalent in deprived areas and schools; highlighting the severity of child food insecurity and the challenges facing low-income families. It calls for greater awareness amongst policy makers and reform, including an overhaul of the social security system, to address the growing issue.
The survey data used in the study indicates food banks exist in more than a fifth (21%) of schools and this rises to a third (33%) in schools with high numbers of students from deprived backgrounds. Charitable and third sector organisations, chiefly The Trussell Trust operating 1,646 food banks and The Independent Food Aid Network who have identified another 1,172 food banks, are key players. But the report suggests that the latest data indicates schools now outstrip this, running an estimated 4,250 `food banks’.
However, presenting facts from raw data may lead to false conclusions. The nature of a school food bank is not defined and many subscribed to, and had a weekly pallet of food delivered from Fareshare. In some instances, staffing constraints meant parents and students had unmonitored access, producing unwanted consequences. So the two providers are in a totally different category, fundamentally different, and cannot practically be compared; although it is true that access to Fareshare items offers a little extra each week, which may prevent families from needing the formal support of food banks and pantries.
Reform of our social security system is not the `silver bullet‘ which will solve such a complex issue. With the rising influence of AI and automation in the jobs market and a widening global wealth gap, guaranteed income schemes have also been put forward as part of the solution to growing inequality. The most comprehensive system is known as universal basic income (UBI), defined by the World Bank as:
“A programme to be delivered in cash, unconditionally and to everyone. Its design features – all in cash, no conditions, and no targeting – challenge current practices to varying degrees.” It says only a handful of countries have trialled UBI schemes and no country has one in place long-term.
The Welsh government’s UBI pilot was launched to address the particular challenges faced by young people leaving local authority or foster care and transitioning into adulthood. It runs until May 2025 with the final evaluation, by Cardiff University, expected in 2027. However, it has announced that its UBI project will not be continued after the initial pilot ends in 2025 because of the cost.
There are other implications to be aware of which impact on food insecurity, including the effects of global climate change from which we are all likely to suffer. Consequentially, food insecurity looks likely to stay for the foreseeable future. Looking into such a future is not particularly easy, but the Trustees were prepared to face the challenge it presented, turning a vision into reality through dedication, strategy, and resilience. They were rewarded for their perseverance when their actions brought the vision to life, and the new all electric Mobile Pantry arrived.
On the day we took delivery of the new vehicle, an article in the Financial Times revealed that: “New members of the global super-rich gained more of their assets through inheritance than through wealth creation”, the first time that this has been recorded. The great wealth transfer was “really gaining momentum from elderly baby boomers and Generation X to millennials and younger”. However, it was really interesting to note that: whilst geopolitics was at the forefront of ultra-high-net-worth individuals’ investment decisions, younger elites were far more likely to consider the societal impact of their assets than their parents. As the global wealth gap continues to widen and those in poverty increase, a quote in the article states that: “the key is to make sure that the next generation is properly prepared to handle the responsibility.”
Without a shadow of doubt, our sponsors do take that responsibility seriously, sharing their wealth, time, and expertise with an unmatched generosity of spirit. The Quantock Foodbank is incredibly grateful to them, and we hope that they are satisfied with the outcome of their unstinting support and investment in the Charity, especially when they see the new all electric Mobile Pantry providing a service to those who had little or no access in and around the Quantock villages.
Our wonderful, loyal, volunteers, rather than live a quiet life of retirement, do what is needed for as long as they can, devoting their time and energy to serving others and living the prayer of St Ignatius of Loyola.
`Lord, teach us to be generous, to serve you as you deserve, to give and not to count the cost, to fight and not to heed the wounds, to toil and not to seek for rest, to labour and not to look for any reward, except that of knowing that we do your will.’
The Quantock Foodbank is a CIO (Charitable Incorporated Organisation) Charity Number: 1189991.
Registered address: 35 Brook Road, Williton, Taunton TA4 4TE Email address: quantockfoodbank@gmail.com Telephone: 07483 815122 Operating address: The Annexe, Harbour Road, Watchet TA23 0AQ
Following the resignation of a Trustee in September 2023, the Trustees co-opted the Secretary to the Trustees as an Officer of the Charity. Seven meetings were held during the year and the Charity Trustees were as follows:
| Name | Office Held | Representing |
|---|---|---|
| Clive Wooldridge | Chair | CtWW |
| Councillor John Irven | Banking Officer Financial Governance Team |
Watchet Town Council |
| Marlene Mason | Company Secretary & Treasurer Financial Governance Team |
CtWW |
| Councillor Peter Payne | Internal Auditor Financial Governance Team |
Williton Parish Council |
| Susan Rose | Premises Trustee | Methodist Trustees |
| Jane Scott - appointed November 2023 |
Secretary | Trustees |
| Sam Searle | Bank Signatory | CtWW |
| Izzy Silvester | Referring Agencies |
|
| Catherine Benham | CtWW | |
| Julie Pelling - resigned September 2023 |
CtWW | |
| Jane Sperring - appointed May 2023 |
CtWW |
The Foodbank and Pantries were dependent on Trustees and Volunteers in key positions:
| positions: | |
|---|---|
| Marlene Mason | General oversight of daily operations; Administration |
| Sam Searle | Yard operations; Maintenance of vehicle; Supervision of drivers |
| John Irven and Sam Searle | Driver training |
| Daphne Milton and Jackie White | Receipt of food donations; Control of stock levels; Stock monitoring and Crating up supplies for three pantries each week |
| Andrew Marshall | Driver Stogursey and Nether Stowey |
| Anna Thomas | Crew Stogursey and Nether Stowey |
| Kim Martin and Jane Wynne | Drivers Williton |
| Sharon Vandepeer | Crew Williton |
The Foodbank had 17 Volunteers in total including those working in the Foodbank and Pantries, and those making collections.
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
The Charity’s governing document, a Constitution of a Charitable Incorporated Organisation whose only voting members are its charity trustees (‘Foundation’ model constitution), was adopted on 15 May 2019 and subsequently revised on 25 March 2021.
Trustees may be appointed by one of the established churches in Watchet or Williton and/or by Watchet Town Council or Williton Parish Council (the appointing bodies), who must have regard to the skills, knowledge and experience needed for the effective administration of the CIO. The churches concerned include, but are not limited to, Saint Peter’s Church of England, Saint Decuman’s Church of England, Watchet Methodist Church, Williton Methodist Church, Watchet Baptist Church, Watchet Salvation Army Corps and Watchet Roman Catholic Church.
All Trustees give their time and skills voluntarily and receive no remuneration or other benefits.
RISK MANAGEMENT STATEMENT
Trustees confirm that they have given consideration to the major risks to which the charity is exposed, and satisfied themselves that systems or procedures are established in order to manage those risks.
Operational Risk Assessments have also been carried out in respect of planned new activity at Stogursey, Nether Stowey and Williton where the Mobile Pantry will operate.
The new Conflicts of Interest Policy requires Trustees to complete an annual declaration of interests form in addition to any declarations of interest made in respect of the business of a particular meeting. Trustees are elected and re-elected at the time of the Annual General Meeting; officers of the charity are elected at the first meeting after the AGM and Declaration of Interest Forms will require completion by all trustees at this time.
Development of a policy on serious incident reporting is in progress and will be retained as an item for action until complete.
OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES
The purposes of the charity can be summarised as: The prevention or relief of poverty in Watchet, Williton and surrounding area by the provision of food, essential toiletries, and household items to people in need; working with professional partners to restore dignity, maintain health and support efforts to regain independence and stability, and providing support to access or signposting to relevant agencies, advisory or information services.
The main activity undertaken by the Foodbank is the distribution of ambient temperature food products, toiletries and other essential household items collected and/or donated by local shops and village stores, churches, individuals, schools and other community groups. The majority of clients are assessed and referred to the Foodbank or the Pantry by front-line professionals, however the Foodbank does act on emergency calls and messages before referring them to an appropriate agency for ongoing support.
Communicating with and maintaining a network of partners in the voluntary, public and private sector, which contributes to wrap-around service delivery, was made more difficult by Somerset Council’s declaration of a financial emergency; resulting in extensive cuts to services and withdrawal of funding to charitable and community organisations. Providers facing greater workloads with less staff and diminished funds to support clients appropriately, referred them to the Foodbank and others such as Village Agents, in the hope that onward connections could be made locally.
ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE
Referrals to the Food Pantry continued to soar in the first quarter of 2024 as food prices continued to rise, even if at a lower rate. The extremely wet winter, with flooded fields, had an impact on the supply and cost of fresh vegetables, with broccoli and cauliflowers having to be imported.
The impact on wheat, barley, oats and oilseed rape harvests meant price rises on bread and biscuits. Meanwhile extreme weather globally drove up the price of cocoa, olive oil, rice, and soybeans, and people were struggling to accommodate the continually rising prices in their weekly budget. Many clients expressed delight when coffee, cakes, or chocolate treats were available on the pantry, as they could not afford them otherwise.
In the two years from April 2022 to March 2024, the Food Foundation’s basket of food had increased by 24.1% outstripping any increases in benefits or wages. The cost of vegetables had risen by 39% on average, with some items like carrots increasing by as much as 150%. This dramatic increase in the cost of food on supermarket shelves has had a profound impact on people and their ability to eat a complete and healthy diet. Of 8 million people surveyed in January 2024, 44.2% of households who had experienced food insecurity, reported to have purchased less vegetables, and 59.9% said they had cut back on purchasing fruit.
To make healthy foods more affordable, it would help if the cost of healthy and sustainable diets were taken into account when setting benefits levels and the national living wage, and more use could be made of taxes to rebalance prices of healthy and unhealthy foods. In the meantime, it is therefore imperative that, whatever the cost, the Quantock Foodbank’s Eat Well to Keep Well project continues.
Food Safety and Hygiene Inspection
An inspection was carried out by Somerset Council on the premises of the Foodbank, at the Annexe and on the Mobile Pantry Vehicle. The highest Food Hygiene Rating of 5, Very Good, was awarded and certificates issued for the Annexe and the Vehicle.
Volunteer Training
Congratulations to the five volunteers who completed the Level 2 Food Safety course and, having achieved a pass on ten modules, were awarded their certificates.
Agency Referrals
Referral numbers will always fluctuate between services, however the drop in referrals made from 2022/23 to 2023/24 was due to the cessation of referrals from Citizens Advice, and mostly single Ukrainian refugees finding homes and work. Concurrently there was a rise in overall numbers of families accessing the Foodbank, as evidenced by an increase of more than 600 children.
Mini Police
Mini Police is delivered in Knights Templar school with the support of local Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs). The scheme provides a fun and interactive way to introduce children to a positive experience of policing and to get them involved in the local community, developing a sense of moral justice and social responsibility. As a response to what they had learnt, the children decided to have a food collection for those in need in Watchet. The Foodbank was delighted to receive an invitation to see them in their Mini Police uniforms at one of their sessions; to talk to them, answer any questions and receive the donations which they had collected.
THE PANTRY PILOT
The Pantry in Watchet continued to be the only point of access for communities across the Quantock Area whilst Commissioning, Driver training, Risk Assessments, and Test runs were taking place in order to commence operations with the new Mobile Pantry.
On the Watchet Pantry, we did find time to disseminate Public Health information; provide a recipe and ingredients, and partner with ‘Contains Art’ who distributed Bags of Art Materials for children in different age groups.
In May, the Coronation of King Charles III took place and all pantry members at that time were given a commemorative tin of Biscuits.
Measles was on the rise again with the start of the new school term, and parents were reminded that their children were at risk if they had missed their first or second vaccinations.
Top Tips for Energy Saving leaflets were distributed which included a link to the Martyn Lewis website outlining cost efficient ways to heat the person not the home.
Where appropriate, clients were signposted to Money Management courses which included budgeting, saving, and borrowing, and making financial decisions.
A recipe with all ingredients provided: Avocado toast with poached eggs – nutritious and simple.
THE MOBILE PANTRY
The Mobile Pantry project took up much of our time during 2023, when not busy with the demands of the Foodbank and Pantry Pilot.
After a magnificent financial response from the whole of the Quantock Deanery and the wider Quantock Communities, we took delivery of the new electric vehicle complete with four solar panels on the roof to power the lights, fridge and other equipment. It was a very chilly St Andrew’s Day in Watchet, with not a soul about, but the smiles on our faces were warm.
The Foodbank had acknowledged the Anglican Church’s third and fifth ‘Marks of Mission’:
‘To respond to human need by loving service and To strive to safeguard the integrity of creation, and sustain and renew the life of the earth’.
As we go about this service, we will not be producing any harmful greenhouse gases and, when empty, the vehicle will return with donations collected from parishes saving more pollution delivering to us. We will play our part in shrinking the Diocese of Bath and Well’s carbon footprint to net zero by 2030.
Our Faith, and our desire to put it into positive action, responding to human need by loving service, has seen the small mustard seed in 2018 grow into something which we could never have imagined.
Much preparation had been done before the delivery date including arranging insurance and a home for the vehicle to go to
More work had been done at the yard to ensure that everything was available on site to perform regular maintenance tasks and to keep the vehicle charged. A separate meter and EV charging station were installed and drivers trained in the use of them and connection to the vehicle.
Ford Telematics is a live system which allows us to Geofence the vehicle within its base area, so that we are alerted if it is moved outside of our operating times. It also tracks the Mobile Pantry whenever it is operational giving real time updates on its movements, performance and battery health. Alerts are received when there are any service issues which require attention.
We look forward to reporting how much CO2 has been saved.
Shortly after the first Pantry run to Stogursey and Nether Stowey, the vehicle and its systems were put to the test. When the crew failed to return at the appointed time, the live tracking indicated that it had been stationary for some time on Putsham Hill and a call was made to the crew. The road was closed through Kilve due to an accident and our driver was reversing back up the hill, before making the homeward journey over the top of the Quantocks and down Crowcombe Hill!
This was the first big trial of the vehicle’s capabilities after we had assured Ford that Porlock Hill was not in our area!! The crew also had quite a challenge negotiating the narrow road at Dead Woman’s Ditch with many diverted vehicles coming from the other direction. However both crew and vehicle had survived with flying colours. Almost, but not quite, circumnavigating the whole of the Foodbank’s area.
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Financial Governance and Reserves Policy
The Quantock Foodbank has a Financial Governance Team of three Trustees whose responsibilities are: Banking Officer; Treasurer and Company Secretary; and Internal Auditor. This ensures good financial control and a separation of powers, particularly as the Treasurer is also the Managing Trustee of the Foodbank.
Accounts are prepared each quarter and internally audited before presentation to the Trustees.
Reserves held are shown below and the General Fund reserve is higher in response to continuing global food insecurity. It is important to make the point that funds held in reserve are mainly available to the Charity because we are all Volunteers, and this enables us to plough every penny received from our wonderful Donors into provisions for those in need. It does have other benefits too in terms of keeping costs down, particularly insurance policies, which would otherwise be significantly more expensive if the Charity had employees. These funds can only be spent once unless they are replenished, and good financial management is therefore essential.
A statutory audit is not required for these accounts since the income of the Quantock Foodbank is under the threshold set by the Charity Commission, however an independent examination of the accounts has been completed.
This report and accounts has been approved by the Trustees after scrutiny by the Independent Examiner, whose certificate is appended.
Signed on behalf of the Charity’s Trustees
Mr Clive Wooldridge, Chair
Dated 2 October 2024
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Thank you so much for your kindness this afternoon and the amazing selection of food! It’s so appreciated and lovely to have things I wouldn’t normally buy! Thank you again xxx
WITH THANKS TO OUR PROJECT PARTNERS
FINANCED BY THE PEOPLE AND COMMUNITIES OF THE QUANTOCK AREA