West Craven Food Bank Annual Report 2025
The Trustees present their Annual Report for the period ending 30[th] September 2025
Charity Name West Craven Food Bank Charity Registration Number 1202778 Address Baptist Church Centre, Manchester Road, Barnoldswick BB18 5NZ Board of Trustees Julie Bryan Deborah Bulcock Lucy Cunliffe Liz Grose Joanne Maurizi Andrew Newhall
Structure, governance and management
Governing document West Craven Food Bank is constituted as a charitable incorporated organisation registered with the Charity Commission on 20 April 2023. It is governed by a Constitution of a Charitable Incorporated Organisation which was submitted to the Charity Commission on incorporation of the charity.
Organisational structure The charity trustees are responsible for the general control and management of the charity. The trustees give their time freely and receive no remuneration or other financial benefits. The trustees meet regularly on an informal basis and have a formal quarterly trustee meeting. They are responsible for all decisions taken in relation to running the food bank and the activities provided by the charity.
Recruitment and appointment of trustees The Constitution of the charity dictates that there must be at least 3 charity trustees and that there is no maximum number. If the charity wishes to appoint more trustees, the charity trustees must have regard to the skills, knowledge and experience needed for the effective administration of the charity. In addition, the charity will make available to each new charity trustee, on or before his or her first appointment: (a) a copy of the current version of the constitution, and (b) a copy of the charity’s latest Trustees’ Annual Report and statement of accounts.
Objective: The principal purpose of the charity is the prevention or relief of poverty in West Craven and the surrounding environs by the provision of food supplies and other aligned activities.
Review of the year
In the year 1[st] November 2024 – 31[st] October 2025, we have made 1019 deliveries of food and essential toiletries to households across West Craven. Each month, around 40% of the people we help are children.
The graph below shows the numbers of deliveries made in West Craven over the last few years. Delivery numbers have increased by 38% in the last year, which is the same rate of increase as last year.
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Food Bank deliveries
1019
737
533
443
364
325
260
166 170
2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025
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We have much appreciated the donations of food and finances we have received from individuals, community groups and businesses. The recent Harvest contributions were a welcome boost.
We have also continued to receive funding from Pendle Council’s Household Support Fund (HSF), which has been essential in enabling us to meet the increase in demand. Other significant grants were received from Sainsburys, Arnold Clark, and Asda Foundation.
We continue to be grateful for all those in our local community who support our work: all the members of our team who give their time and energy; the churches and businesses that act as donation points and all those who donate. This generosity enables us to help people who find themselves in challenging circumstances by offering support and encouragement as they take steps to improve their situation.
Financial Report
At year end, the food bank maintained a stable financial position, with a closing balance of £19407.66. This is more than double the minimum amount before our reserves policy in invoked.
All funds are held in the food bank’s designated accounts and are allocated for the continuation and development of our services.
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above. Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees
Julie Bryan