## **Item 4** ## **Chairperson’s Report 2022-23** This report covers Westerham Food Bank’s ninth year of operation, November 2022 – October 2023. Once again, it’s good to be able to report on another year without interruptions to supporting our clients. This is of course only made possible by the talented, capable, hardworking and flexible team of volunteers we are fortunate to have and the generosity of individuals and organisations in our community. ## **Clients** This year the number of households we support has risen by 14%. At the end of the year 2021-2022 there were 51 active client households, 19 single people, 5 couples, 27 families: in all, 64 adults and 59 children. At the end of the period there were 58 households on the register: 21 single people, 5 couples and 30 families with a total of 75 adults and 62 children. It is worth noting that since the end of the reporting period we have taken on an additional 5 households. Also, there is an increase in the frequency which clients ask for our support. Over the year, 20 households have left the foodbank and we've had 28 new referrals. Referrals have come from a variety of different agencies including, Community Warden, Churchill School, Local Churches, Social Prescribers, Citizens Advice, Housing Associations, Social Services, Drug and Alcohol Wellbeing Services, Medical assistant & care co-ordinator and neighbouring foodbanks. The reasons for referral remain many and varied: debt issues, physical and mental health issues, repercussions of rehousing, issues with benefits, refugees and asylum seekers from various countries, the cost-of-living crisis, inflation and the cost of food and energy. As in previous years some clients need our support only for a short time, some intermittently over a longer period and some over an extended period. It continues to be the case that the frequency of requests for deliveries has been increasing as have the length of lists of items requested. Hygiene products continue to be requested frequently. ## **Volunteers** We are fortunate to have an outstanding team of volunteers who together enable the Westerham Food Bank to operate. Without volunteers we simply wouldn't be able to support clients. It was one of our challenges this year to attract and retain more volunteers. We are delighted to say as a result of a suggestion from the audience at last year’s AGM we placed an advert in the local TN16 magazine which resulted in interest from 17 new volunteers many of whom have joined our team. Huge and sincere thanks to everyone who gives so freely of their valuable time. We now have 38 volunteers (including 7 trustees) who staff the rota for running the weekly Foodbank session on a Thursday, shop on a weekly basis at Morrisons, contact clients and produce the weekly lists from which bags are packed, collect donations from collection points and deliver to 7 our stores, collect fresh food from Morrisons early on a Thursday morning and deliver it to the Scout Hut & and deliver to those who are unable to collect. In September we held a “Thank You Afternoon Tea” for all volunteers in Helen & Mike Ogden’s garden. The weather was kind and the event was well attended, giving volunteers the opportunity to meet each other and have time to chat, eat cake and share stories. Thankyou Helen and Mike. ## **Donations** Collection baskets have remained at Waitrose Biggin Hill, the Westerham Co-op, Wolfe Garage and St. Marys Church. St John The Baptist Church and St. Theresa of the Infant Jesus collect donations regularly and deliver direct to us periodically. Westerham Town Council offices have also continued to accept food donations. We were fortunate to receive Harvest gifts from Churchill School. Holy Trinity Crockham Hill, Radnor House, St Mark’s Biggin Hill, St Mary’s Tatsfield and St Mary’s Westerham Morrisons of Oxted donate weekly to us, providing products from our wish list of items needed. The value of these items is approximately £120 each week. In addition to these items, we collect fresh fruit, vegetables and a small range of other fresh items every Thursday morning that we distribute to our clients the same morning. Since September we also collect fresh chill items from Morrisons which we can keep chilled at a safe temperature (thanks to the Scouts for the use of their fridge). We are able to offer these items to all clients who call in to collect their shopping. All these fresh items continue to prove a very welcome addition to the range of items we can supply. We continue to be a partner of The Oxted & Edenbridge Hygiene Bank and benefit from sizeable donations of hygiene products from them on a regular basis. Our relationship with In Kind Direct also continues and allows us to purchase items from them at approximately 10-20% of the usual retail price. This makes some cash donations stretch 5 to 10 times further. We continue to receive donations in cash or bank transfer from individuals on a regular basis, which enables us to purchase items which are needed but are not often donated. In September Hever Hawks House at Radnor House School voted for us to be the charity they support over the next year. We look forward to this new opportunity to raise awareness and funds. Local organisations and businesses have also been generous in their support and include Autoflame, Aqualisa, Westerham Financial Services, St James Place & Day Lewis. Waitrose has continued to be generous to the Food Bank this year. Their two collection baskets are full every week and the Food Bank has received special donations at Christmas. Generous donations, from Morrisons, Waitrose, Tatsfield School and individual donors, enabled the Food Bank to distribute the now traditional Christmas 8 Hampers to all clients. We are grateful to St. James’s Place who gave us the use of their spacious board room along with a large team of employees who helped unload, sort, and pack the Christmas Hampers. Steve Grange and Community Warden Paul Robertson tackled the mammoth task of delivering each Christmas Hamper personally. Thank You Steve and Paul. ## **Charity Status** We have been a Registered Charity for almost two years now. Our Charity number is 1196367 and our object is **“The prevention and relief of food poverty and the promotion of good health for public benefit of all those living in and around Westerham, Kent by primarily but not exclusively operating a Food Bank and providing allied services.”** ## **Financial report** Examined accounts for the year are presented separately. ## **Location** The Scout Hut here in Westerham has been our home for over 2 years now thanks to the 17[th] Sevenoaks Scout Group (Westerham). Our two sheds have streamlined how we operate and helped enormously with the need for satellite storage options (a.k.a. spare bedrooms of trustees). However, satellite storage is not a thing of the past, as the volume of donations often exceeds our onsite storage option so on occasions donations are transported from the satellite storage to the Scout Hut. There’s often a flurry of manoeuvres at the end of each session resulting in items needing to go back into cars to be stored in the various satellite storage places until the following week. Thanks to satellite storage providers and transporters. The scouts also allowed us to instruct a local contractor to erect an outdoor shelter spanning the area between the 2 sheds. This addition has extended our working area (saving our volunteers backs) and helping the packing team & shed stocking team to stay dry during the wet weather. ## **Operations** In February 2023 Morrisons were no longer able to pick and pack our shopping for us to collect weekly. Instead, we needed to find shoppers to do what we now fondly call a supermarket sweep. This involves a volunteer or volunteers shopping in Morrisons each week for the items we are short of. The value of the goods purchased frequently exceed £200 and more than 1 trolley. So quite a workout for the 4 trustees and 2 volunteers who come forward to do this. In May we invited and encouraged clients to return to the original model of collecting their own bags. A little over 15% of our clients have returned although the number varies from week to week and many have become regulars. Citizens Advice and HERO services from Sevenoaks District Council both attend once a month, but on different weeks, so that clients have an opportunity to benefit from face-to-face contact and an opportunity for volunteers and clients to meet. There’s always a warm welcome, a cuppa and cake or biscuits. 9 Two Duke of Edinburgh Students joined us to work on projects this year. One of them set up our shared Google drive and made “how to” videos to help us with this new area. And the other one joined as a member of the packing, dating and restocking team as well as creating a visual shopping list for those who may need information presented visually rather than in written form. Also, In May we purchased 2 mobile phones for the Foodbank, one is used by a volunteer to obtain the weekly lists from clients the other is now the main contact number for the foodbank. The central communication we now have in place (including WhatsApp, Gmail and a shared drive) means that all communication between trustees can be accessed and this helps to remove the pressure of any one trustee being solely responsible. This remains work in progress. In August 2023 5 clients attended a Social Kitchen course run by West Kent Primary Care Team (WKPCT). The course was held at Bore Place once a week for 4 weeks. All food, recipes, Tupperware and transport were provided by WKPCT. Our Facebook page was launched successfully and posts are put on most weeks by one of the new volunteers who came forward as a result of this year’s recruitment drive. The Original Shopping list from 9 years ago has been reviewed and amended. ## **Challenges for the coming year** · - Recognising that the increasing number of clients and the volume of work will require us to adapt and grow as an organisation. - - Raising our Social Media profile further. - Ensuring all trustees are proficient in using the data stored centrally. - Continuing to weather the cost-of-living crisis. This will continue to hit many of our clients as well as increasing the cost of buying in of food stocks and, perhaps, a drop in the donations. - Coping with an extended coverage area. Referrals are now regularly being made from neighbouring areas: Biggin Hill, Tatsfield, Brasted, and Sundridge - Continuing to co-operate with the ever-changing body of referrers. - Continuing to learn from neighbouring foodbanks. - Recruiting more trustees. - Appointing a Chairperson 10 To conclude this report, I pay thanks again to all involved with the foodbank, by giving your time funds or food to Westerham Food Bank you are all investing in our great community and make it possible for us to exist and support each other. Especial thanks are due to the Trustees, Helen Ogden (Secretary), Mary Heasman (Treasurer), Jacqui Lendrim, Fiona Owen, Stephen Porter and Sharon Lord. Mary will be leaving us as a trustee after 9 years of being involved with the foodbank. Enormous thanks to Mary for all the time, thought and hard work throughout the last nine years. We are delighted that Mary will continue to be involved as a volunteer, so we are not losing her vast knowledge and expertise. I have completed my 2 years of being a Trustee and Chairperson so will join Mary and our wonderful team of regular volunteers. And welcome to our new trustees Liz Wicks and Sally Houston. Our ambition to become redundant remains. However, that doesn't seem to be on the horizon anytime soon. 11 ## **Westerham Food Bank Summary of Income & Expenditure 2022-2023** ||**Bank**| |---|---| ||**Credit**
**Debit**| |**Brought Forward Balance 01/11/2022**|**9,598.19**| |Grant - Barley Charity Trust
Donations
Stock Purchase
Access Underwriting Insurance
Equipment
Sevenoaks District Council
HMRC Gift Aid
Outside Workspace Cover
Phone Charges
**Total Credit/Debit**|300.00
-
15,440.55
-
108.00
3,316.38
-
348.00
-
2,006.24
7,754.50
1,687.49
-
2,432.40
-
22.39
**25,290.54**
**8,125.41**| |**Carried Forward Balance 31/10/2023**|**26,763.32**| |**Cash**
**Credit**
**Debit**
-
-
275.55
-
-
219.63
-
-
-
9.00
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
**275.55**
**228.63**
**46.92**|**Total**| |---|---| ||**Credit**
**Debit**| ||**9,598.19**| ||300.00
-
15,716.10
-
108.00
3,536.01
-
348.00
-
2,015.24
7,754.50
-
1,687.49
-
-
2,432.40
-
22.39
**25,566.09**
**8,354.04**| ||**26,810.24**| WesteFham Summary ot Income & Expendlthre 21J2Z-2023 8ank Cash Credit Total Credit Debit Debit Credit 9.598.19 3￿.[￿1 15,716.10 108.Tr) 3.536.01 Deblt Brought forward balance OVIV2022 Grant- Barley Trust tksnations Stock Purchase Access Undepwr6tlng InSUra￿e Equtpment Sevenoaks Dlstrict Councll Automated Credlt HMAC Glft Ald tskle Workspace C￿r Phone Chargès TotglCredit/Deblt Carried Forward Balance 31/ion023 9.598.19 15.440.55 io&(Xl 3,316.38 275.55 219.63 2,(￿.24 2,015.24 7.754.50 1,687.49 7,754.50 1.687.49 2.432.40 22.39 25,ZSYL54 4125.41 275.55 22&63 26,763.32 46.92 2,432.40 22.39 25.566.09 8.354.04 26,810.24 A¢counts forW*sierl4m Foryl Bank finant5￿yearZQl2.2OlJ Bmk o*Krfption (thd Oal•K¢ OJ/III2022 07nty2U22 r￿1112022 1411112022 21111n022 221iU2021 2411V2022 ))11112022 Automated CreditthJn3tion 5tockPur¢bJse Autom3tEdCredtt tkimli JJtomated Credit Donaoon tornated Credit Dtsn4￿ Stock IlJrchase AultyT￿fed Ccedtt Don¥ttc OnlinE Donaiiihi Heither lw1￿ I O'NWII 35.11) 35.LbJ 42.24 linE 2 MLVXI ¢YN•H Jty)A) IIL21202Z OV1212012 OZI1212012 Q2112n022 U61L212022 0811212022 0911212022 Q911211022 1211V2022 1311V2D22 LY1212022 1611212022 1611111022 1911212012 10112n021 11212022 2011112021 2111212021 2211V2022 iyIW022 2311212022 5tsKkPurthb8e sh ￿￿tIon Cash Th)niti OAlnÈikniityon Auttynatod Creth HMAC io. I,xo.o) Ax) 35IYJ AutomTrttd Credit Donafjon SevenDaks O￿tr￿1 C¢untlIAutc￿I￿c1eth tornlted CrndttOOna￿an st￿purch￿e Automèi¢d Cfedlt tWtiDbl JJtomatod Cr•dit Dofft•dr Onllne Aut<)￿**0 CredtOoTh•l 45.DJ 7,W.OJ n•lCAF c￿lne S 479.93 so. 2Yk Yty* n•6 MLMd 91.54 14Utom*ed Dwiiry Autom4t¢d CFedS1 t￿nitIC 10.0) 125. IOJA) 0310112023 0510U2013 0910112013 0910V2013 IOlQl12Q13 1010112023 1310112023 IJIOII1023 Iy0111023 1610V2013 2310V2023 141011202a 241011ZO?3 3010V2013 Cath iIqOK•51 AutNhèted(rYthOwt •Jllty 30A) 5￿￿PUTEh meht AutLvnattd DedSt DM•ii( Gr￿t- 8• Ch4rtyTnAt De￿41￿ft. N AutorNt*dCrethl Ocffjatknn AiitrrfnJt40Cr•￿tIx￿utb2n Equlp¥Mnt Stock PUrC￿se AutLYnatedCrethl Dty)at •J9S OrAK*71 O'NtiII 35 IZ3.￿) Cwndl York Z4LQ ioA) 0110212023 0810212023 oy102n023 0910211023 1310212023 17102n023 10102n023 2VWI2023 2U0212023 22102J2023 2410Z12015 Z510212D23 tomaied trnd￿ C*)noi￿n SIDtk PLth•5 Stock PLYch05E >J Othe 12 O'NWH 35D) 3.250 42. 35D) Swiho•ks tlstlkl c￿j￿lAytOrnIt@dern0 Autom*ed Cxedit Oonatlon Automated crndlt Omaiknn stock Purtha Ytyk ¢13 75Xp) Purth•se me14 42.*) 3,10 OV0¥2023 071031ZO23 0810312023 0810312023 0819311023 0810312023 1¥0312023 1310312013 ZV031202a Z810311023 2910312023 30103IZUI) 3110312023 Flotth i(o.c io AutonHied AutoDwtedtsEdit th)n*Krf* lty 193.js 339.98 ord￿ l? IPhwe51 16 Purthase Onllne D￿na￿On tornat¢d tknat*n Atstornar￿ CredittMar*n Eqv*fflent AutornatedCtEdit AUt¢ffl4ttdCred¢Ovn•ts SwoaksOi5tnrtCoundl NeAI 35.Lb) 35. 191iarfywthl 165.C 1.625.ClJ 0310412023 D3m4/ZVZJ 0¥0412025 10). Stoth Purth45¢ (knlint 21 St£w&Purthase (knlirt¢ 12.70 5evertaks LhStrW ctyJncHAuLuf4trdCrtir( Automated Ciedit DtylallQ Automated credlt Donat￿￿ AutWbatedCrEdii Dofbat tkniation Automate¢ Crtrjlt DL￿3￿n AuiomatEd Crtdrt mated Qtdtt 834.50 0610412023 1110112023 1110412Q23 1310412013 18104D023 211041Z023 2610412013 Z610412023 35m 25. 35.fy) York MUr￿aY 15555 0110512023 10512023 10512013 CbllQ512023 0410512023 10512013 0410512023 (fJ10512023 JIOSI202a IS1051202a 1910512013 1giosn023 1910512023 2210512023 Iy0512023 sh DoThJt AvivTnatedCr*dft Dohatio 5tttk Purchèse Equyrn￿t St¢th ￿rth•se 5tockPurEha5e StcKkPufth3 Automated ciedft Autornated Ciedit Omation Autcrfrwted (re￿tlY￿}I1kn 5tttk purCh￿e Eq￿lM￿nI 5totk Purthase Iro.¢x) Fther ¢)*ne24 31.15 3S.16 (kn4ne23 OnNne 15 71(V 35.( 41.94 C￿1n¢27 16 57. York 75 Avtomai*d Crodit Donat co oVW023 081¢￿12023 I3￿￿/2023 1510612023 1510612023 Autum•tod CrnditDona¥on Autom•i¢d Crtdlt rtha￿n Aut¢rn*tedCrediiOoD4t Éwlpmeni sE¢Kk PLvth• Stork Purth•5* srryk ￿l¢b47t St￿ S￿r[h Autom•tEd Cr¢dtt t*nW¢¥b Stwk PuFchJ hytoma1￿ Cr•dll Stttk ￿￿h•S¢ Stff* Purch 5tDL*Puf¢has• Outyde W Stotk Purth J5A) t28 th4kn•28 cknlin¢ c*iline CknHn•3la Yd ikne Jlb 27ts2 5996 277.85 I6￿￿]2023 1110612013 131(W2021 2710612023 18m612￿3 281U612013 2810612023 Q612023 301IW2023 12&0 (￿*ne 32 IWne321Seelefvnd 29Jl 8LO 2,432.40 Autdmated Cr01 OcoMI(xI Automitedcrt￿l Ocwtkn io)JYJ 03107rn)23 W0712023 L0107120Z3 12107DOI3 1310712023 19107noz3 1910712023 211D71202J 2510711023 >) C4th4 O'N•II H.14 StDtkPurth• Autom•t¢d siwk Purthase sth¢k Purthl 35JX) 14.02 85. Vcrfk 35.tyj 2ts) VW2023 VW20 OIIOHJ2013 0110812013 VW2023 20P3 1110812023 141 2023 141rwio23 I8￿11Q23 211(WlQ23 211WZ073 211cW023 24108IZD23 Z91(W2023 3U081ZOIS Stoc*Purtha*e stockPurcha5e 5trJckPurchi Stockpw<￿5c AutoMEdCredtt [￿kne 35 LWhie57 Orfkie31 31.¥4 12.98 a3.28 2AKX)AK) 35 iomated Cfedft L*n•iA?Tr siock Pwtha50 tomated Cttdit Dwafion tOrna￿d Crtdll rkna%knn C*linE Oona￿an Stock Purchase O'NWN 38 2&93 Z5QfQ J5. YL¥k Gibson 39 ine401fiL4¥1 ine4l L>ay Lew6lWI 54A4 ￿r(hIs• 19.24 155.55 OVIYJI2023 081COI1023 13m91102a 1310912023 13mgn023 131flJ12023 1310912023 1310912013 15109n023 1510912013 151W2023 2110917023 3110912023 co JiOrnJted Csedit rthavoTr Automatod Crtdlt (*na￿On Automated Crndit (kna￿0n Equyme*¢ Stock Purthase ILU 35.oj edl X12 38.15 IA4 I￿￿Tre44 CdinE43 cath7 St(Kk$4Jrch•Je Str*kPurrhose St￿ Puftha ment 6&37 C￿￿￿•41 I￿{ne45 e46liatyarfsl i&$. Y