Annual Report 2025 oDB￿ ERE FORYO Uist & Barra Foodbank |**Contents**|| |---|---| |**Chairpersons Report**|**Page 3**| |**Treasurers Report**|**Page 4**| |**Governance**|**Page 5**| |**Activities**|**Page 6**| |**Accounts**|**Page 7**| 2 ## **Chairpersons’ Report** The Uist and Barra Foodbank is based on the small islands of Benbecula, and Barra. There is a ferry and flight service between these two islands. They are part of a number of islands that combine off the West of Scotland to make the Western Isles. This registered charity was established in 2018 and has been a vital resource for the resilience of our islanders when rising costs make money harder to stretch to cover daily living costs. The organization has continued to move forward positively in supporting individuals and families across Uist and Barra who find themselves in crisis. We have continued to strengthen the relationships we have built, over time, with the various referral agencies we work alongside. These organizations provide essential support and services within the community, particularly for vulnerable individuals and those in need. Current referral partners include Citizens Advice Bureau, Police Scotland, Midwives, Health Visitors, Tagsa Uibhist, Adult support work and Children’s services, Hebridean Housing Partnership, NHS Substance Misuse services, local medical Practices, Action for Children, local churches and Volunteers. Together, these partnerships help ensure that those requiring assistance can access our support. We were grateful to receive continued support in funding from Comhairle Nan Eilean Siar, enabling us to maintain the role of Development Project Manager who oversees the day-to-day operation of the Foodbank. This has allowed the Trustees to focus on the governance and strategic direction of the organisation. The Trustees and I continue to hope for a future where there is no longer a need for a Foodbank in Uist and Barra. However, while the need remains, we are committed to continuing to provide support to those experiencing hardship or crisis for as long as we are able. I would like to extend my very sincere thanks to the individuals, communities, and businesses who have supported the Foodbank from the very beginning, when it was first only an idea. We would not have reached this point without the generous donations, contributions, and ongoing encouragement we have received, for which we remain extremely grateful. Special thanks must also go to our dedicated volunteers, whose commitment enables the Foodbank to operate week after week. Whether packing parcels, sorting donations, or delivering essential supplies to those in need, their time and dedication are invaluable, and this service could not continue without them. Helen MacLean Chairperson 3 ## **Treasurers Report** Since 2018, the generosity and support shown by the community has continued to be truly overwhelming. We remain grateful for the provision of rent-free premises at East Camp, as well as the ongoing support received through both food and financial donations throughout the year. Our accounts on page 7 show that we received £12,286 from a variety of sources. Contributions have come through community fundraising events, individual supporters, local businesses, grant funding, Church collections/ funding and direct cash donations. We were pleased to receive continued funding support for our Project Manager role, enabling us to retain the position of Development Project Manager. This role has provided the Foodbank with a consistent day-to-day point of contact and has helped our organisation to continue to develop and progress new ideas and initiatives. Additional financial donations allowed us to purchase food supplies locally throughout the year, particularly as donated stock naturally declined due to external pressures such as rising food and fuel costs. During periods of increased demand, these purchases ensured that we could continue to provide complete emergency food parcels without reducing essential items. I would like to extend my sincere thanks to everyone within our community, and beyond, who has continued to support the Foodbank and its work. Katie Walker Treasurer 4 ## **Trustees** Helen MacLean Chairperson Katie Walker Treasurer Linda Cameron Trustee ## **Volunteers** Felicity Bramwell Anne Monk Annabel Jevons Hilary Dennington-Holdrick Sonya Davidson Andrene Glen Roslyn MacPherson Lyn Lowe Kate Ann Holbrook Linda Campbell Jeannie Flower Lachina MacVicar Malak Qamareldwla-Omar ## **Auditor** Ms Marie Nash ## **Bank** Account Number 30401010, CAF Bank LTD, 25 Kings Hill Avenue, West Malling, KENT, ME19 4JQ ## **OSCR Registration** Charity Number SCO47999 – 14 December 2017 ## **CNES** Registered as a Food Establishment Business on 30[th] July 2018 ## **Our Benefactors** East Camp Trust The community of Uist & Barra Comhairle Nan Eilean Siar National Lottery North Uist Community Church Uist and Barra Church Griminish Church Church of Scotland 5 ## **Activities** The Foodbank continues to accept donations from the community and processes them in line with agreed policies and procedures. Our small but dedicated team of volunteers carries out this work throughout the week as donations are received. All donated items are weighed in accordance with stock control measures, date checked, and stored appropriately in date order within either the ‘shop’ or ‘warehouse’ areas. This system enables service users to choose items themselves, within their allocated allowance, creating a more personal shopping-style experience. This approach helps maintain dignity and respect for those accessing the service, while also allowing us to better meet individual needs, including dietary requirements and personal preferences. By enabling choice, we help reduce unnecessary waste and ensure that donated items are used effectively. In addition to food, we also provide toiletries and household cleaning products where required. Through our Fareshare partnership, we are also able to offer other items, delivered from the mainland at no cost, to give access to food at all times to service users. This initiative not only supports individuals and families experiencing hardship but also plays an important role in reducing food waste within the community and afar. We receive monthly deliveries form the Fareshare depot in Aberdeen. The Foodbank supports a wide range of people, including both individuals and families. Some service users are in employment, while others are not. We continue to welcome many people accessing the Foodbank for the first time, and the feedback received has been overwhelmingly positive. Increasingly, many households are feeling the pressure of living from pay cheque to pay cheque, and having access to this support when unexpected difficulties arise has become an important resource within the community. We are seeing a difference in our number of service users, year on year. There are quite a few local initiatives providing support to service users like help towards energy bills, food vouchers etc. Where appropriate, we signpost service users to other agencies and organisations that may be able to provide additional support. We also maintain a Facebook presence, which allows us to seek local support and respond to emerging needs within the community as they arise. _From when we opened in 2018 to the beginning of January 2026, emergency food parcels have been provided, to 2939 adults, and 894 children._ _This covers over 7 ½ years and shows how much support the Foodbank has provided to those who find themselves in a crisis._ 6 ## **Uist & Barra Foodbank Accounts 1[st] January 2025 to 31[st] December 2025** |Balance Carried Forward
31/12/2024
Income|41,283.64
12,286.12
**53,569.76**| |---|---| |**Expenditure**
Phone/Internet
Food Stocks
Bank Charges
Training
Stationery/Office supplies
Insurance
Subscriptions
Salary Costs
Volunteer Costs|612.82
1,405.39
61.00
77.88
53.90
0.00
47.00
13,813.88
424.53|16,496.40| |---|---|---| Represented as Cash at Bank as at 31/12/2025 **37,073.36** Audited by Marie Nash 13 May 2026 7