July ’24 Foodbank AGM Minutes

Food Bank Minutes AGM

Whole Life Centre, Cabin Lane 19th June 2024

Present: 28 supporters

1. Welcome and Prayer by Chair
James 2:14-17 Faith and Deeds
14  What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no
deeds? Can such faith save them? 15  Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and
daily food. 16  If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does
nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? 17  In the same way, faith by itself, if it is
not accompanied by action, is dead.

2. Apologies- 11 supporters

3. Minutes of AGM 2023 – agreed and signed by Tony
4. Chairman’s Report
As I come to deliver my fifth and final report as Chair of Trustees at Oswestry and Borders
Food Bank, I wish I could tell you that our work is done, that there is nobody in our
community who needs the support that we offer, and that we can therefore wind up our
charity and focus our efforts elsewhere, but I can’t, because it simply would not be true.
Once again, we have seen demand for our services increase, and we are not alone; this is
happening nationwide. We have witnessed more and more people being pushed into
poverty, and even into destitution – literally having nothing. Nobody chooses to rely on the
Food Bank, but in our community and across the country, ever-increasing numbers of
people find themselves having to do exactly that. The statistics make terrible reading, but
statistics can also hide what is really happening.
Statistics don’t tell you – about children who go to school hungry each day because their
parents cannot afford to give them breakfast – about those same parents routinely skipping
meals so that there is something for their children’s tea – about unpaid carers being
criminalised because, just for once, they earned a little more than the carer’s allowance
regulations allow and didn’t notice – about the higher energy tariffs faced by those who are
least able to pay for gas and electricity – about vulnerable people being made homeless
through no fault of their own – about any of these people.
But these are the people who use the services that our Food Bank offers, not by choice,
but by necessity. They are welcomed by our staff and volunteers, and treated with respect
and dignity. These are the people who, through our work with partner agencies, are being
enabled to access the support they should be receiving, but which is too often almost
impossible for them to find.
None of what we do would be possible without your support – your generous gifts, money,
time and talents – hospitality, food sorting, delivery of food and care of clients. There have
been a number of changes: Jenny Macintosh stepped down from the post of deputy

manager, and we appointed two deputy managers in her place – Zanna and Helen. Helen’s
role changed late in the year to one which was directly funded by Trussell Trust, but sadly
she found it necessary to step down in January of this year. However, Helen’s work did
begin to show the clear value of the work that we do with our partner agencies at the Food
Bank – work in areas such as income maximisation, mental health support etc.
As I step down Carl Rogers has agreed to become interim chair until a longer-term
appointment can be made.
As I close – thank you to all our staff, volunteers, trustees, partner agencies, generous
donors and supporters.

5. Treasurer’s Report
Income and expenditure both increasing year by year, we do have excess income at end
of year – but we are solvent at present £244,522 in bank at present. Restricted and
unrestricted funds – restricted for particular purpose.
We get money from individuals – level virtually static, and grants (normally restricted) –
increasing.
Expenditure – big increase in salaries – we ensure we pay appropriately- we follow state
pension guidelines – triple lock. We increased staffing – to assist Liz. Food stocks –
increasing tremendously – but hopefully will plateau. Citizen’s Advice – paid by a grant.
Overall – we are fine for next 2 years – but after that this becomes money we have to find. –
this is why it’s good to have money in the bank!
Summary:
Foodbank finances in good shape,
Adequate balance going into next year,
Hoping food expenses do not double again,
Need to plan ways to continue to support current initiatives,
Continue to be reliant on grant income – do we need to look at informing and increase
donations
Questions: 1. Food stock has gone up – and Grant of £40,000 – are these therefore linked?
We weren’t driven to spend that money because of the grant – we looked at what we would
actually need – and we weren’t too far out. By end of March we were having to use money
from other sources.
2. Volunteer drivers are entitled to receive mileage – although not all claim.
Accounts for Year were agreed and signed off by Retiring Chairman, Tony Maude and
Secretary, Kathryn Davies. They are available for anyone on request.

6. Project Manager’s Report
Paid special tribute to all the amazing volunteers. There is so much to recognise in their
dedication to the charity and incredible willingness to give, over and above when demands
arise- as they often do. Stepping in for each other, offering to go the extra mile and giving
of their free time. It is pertinent this year to raise this recognition – some of the volunteers
have been going since lockdown, with barely a break. There has been a sense of
weariness on some days when we read of, yet another cut back, price rise or injustice.
Particularly when we have felt and sometimes carried the burdens of the visitors to the
foodbank and stories which are hard to hear and go home with.
Some of our friends have moved on this year.
Firstly, Helen – we employed Helen to come on board last July as one of the new deputy
managers. Unfortunately, Helen had to leave us earlier this year for her health, but we are
incredibly thankful for her input over those months- she willingly changed roles to start the process of participation and local organisational mission with training undertaken by Trussell trust centrally.
Secondly, Vicky – retired at the end of December, having given the foodbank
nearly a decade
The purpose of number 56 (and the warehouse) continues to be able to facilitate the
giving of emergency food to those in need. Zanna is leading operations in number 56 as
deputy manager.
Christmas 2023: approximately 699 people ( 390 children) fed. Approximately 2.5 tonnes
of food issued.
Referral agencies: 144
People fed: 1st April 2023-March 2024= 7530 people (2579 children)
(Previous year:6904)
Reasons for attendance In descending order: low income, mental and physical ill health,
benefit changes and delays, homelessness, debt, domestic violence, child holiday meals,
delayed wages or job loss, refused benefit advanced payment, no recourse to public
funds.
Number 58 allows us to help those coming to the foodbank on a wider scale – especially
with issues which are distressing and disempowering. We have a national and local
relationship with Citizens Advice, and it has been transformational having financial
inclusion advisers in situ. The 3-year funding is now in its second year and we are already
looking ahead to continue this work beyond the 3 years; thinking about funding to future
proof this amazing service. This year, the financial inclusion service with Claire employed
as our CA 3 days a week, has maximised budgets by £128,522.
We are supported by the Samaritans, Women’s Aid and Mental Health Practitioners.
Data on mental health services:
A 3 month period captured data on gender, GP practices, and reason for
meeting with a mental health support worker in number 58.
We continue to campaign to end the need for foodbanks, in line with the national
aim of Trussell Trust who have led the campaign to ask the government to
“Guarantee the Essentials”.
Community engagement – working collaboratively with other community groups, agencies,
charities and statutory bodies and businesses. Police, and local council to build a resilient
community with the majority not needing a foodbank. Trussell Trust have a road map. We
have done some joint working with Os-Nosh – MOT days – they are now providing frozen
meals for our clients.
Guarantee our essentials manifesto – please ask for the manifesto and we can
email it to you.

Zanna’s AGM Reflection
It has been a whirlwind year of getting to grips with the role, forming and growing
relationships with the amazing team of volunteers and developing the strategic side
of my responsibilities- social media and communications. We are actively trying to
connect with wider audiences through social media channels such as Facebook and
Instagram. We have also expanded the ways in which people can support us
financially through QR codes and text to donate numbers. These have proved successful. For example in Duncan Kerr’s recent fundraiser, cycling 1,000 miles from John O’Groats to Land’s End!
Back in April, Suzi and I made the journey to Birmingham for the Trussell Rolling
Roadshow. This was a great day learning more about the vision of the Trust, new
developments happening, and networking opportunities with other Foodbanks across
our region. I hope to build connections over the coming months- seeing how they work and
if there is anything they are doing that we could implement here.
Trussell is encouraging us to create focus groups where people can share their
experiences. There is power in personal testimony and we are excited for what will
happen as we engage with groups of people who use the foodbank. Walking
alongside local people facing hardship is a real privilege: you learn things about
people that they wouldn’t necessarily disclose to even their closest friends or family
members. People feel a great deal of stigma and shame when they come to us for
support which we try hard to overcome, and there are so many incredible stories that
we hear but are unable to share. We want to be able to share these stories in an
appropriate way because they are powerful- they demonstrate the value and impact
of the work we are doing here, and from them we can learn what changes need to be
made to help people afford the essentials and ultimately end the need for Foodbanks.
It is clear the reason people need us is due to a lack of money to afford the essentials. The
problem can feel overwhelming at times- what difference can we make in the grand
scheme of things? Well, the truth is that on our own, the difference will be minimal. Yes, we
can give out food, but we need to be working together with local agencies and decision
makers to bring real and lasting change to people’s lives. To this end we want to form
stronger links with our referral agencies and create a culture where we work together. On
May 15th we invited agency representatives to attend an open afternoon at the Foodbank.
We gave them a tour, showed them some of the Trussell Trust’s materials and talked
about how we want to bring them onboard with our vision. They were sent away with
questions to discuss with their teams: What are you already doing to bring about change?
How can we work better together? We will be building on this over the coming months and
would really value your support and your prayer as we seek to influence and change
systems that are already stretched beyond their capacity. We don’t want to add to their
workload, rather we want to try to reignite the passion in workers who are potentially
overwhelmed, over-worked and burnt out, desensitised and disillusioned. As much as we
want to bless those we are all working for, we want to be a blessing to these agency
workers too.
Thank you for the opportunity to be a part of this amazing charity!

7. Gill Corp – Women’s Aid
Working as an Independent Domestic Violence Advocate (IDVA) since 2005. She ran the
local refuge until 2017 when lack of funding forced it to close. During those days the only
thing they worried about was to ensure that the telephone number of the refuge was
withheld so as not to disclose the STD code and the location. As technology has improved
they are continually having to look at tracking devices and monitoring put in place by
partners. Recently a tracking device was discovered in a child’s soft toy which was always
with them , so that the abused partner could be tracked by the minute!
The role of IDVA is to work with high risk victims of domestic abuse throughout West
Mercia. She said that there were about 24 IDVA’s and they all held a case load of clients
who were at risk of significant harm or possibly death. It is very important to stress that
IDVA’s are Independent of any other services and are the voice of the victim but they work
alongside other agencies including the police.

IDVA’s are specially trained to look at the risk that are faced by victims and try to reduce
that risk. They look at safety planning to ensure that if the victim is either thinking of
leaving the relationship or wanting to remain in the relationship they could do this as safely
as possible.
Gill went on to describe that every area has a monthly Multi Agency Risk Assessment
Conference (MARAC) meeting. At these meetings many agencies attend such as Police,
housing, education, health, safeguarding, mental health and drug and alcohol services.
They work together to look for the best outcome for the victim and their safety is at the
core of the work they do. The IDVA represents the victim/survivor and ensures that their
voice is heard.
Gill said that another part of her role is Inclusion, this is ensuring that underrepresented
groups can access domestic abuse services. This could include LGBTQ+, ethnic
minorities, gypsy and travellers, those with sight and hearing loss , the elderly or those
suffering child to parent abuse. Gill acknowledged that they are seeing an increase in
domestic abuse in the elderly and child to parent abuse is also on the increase.
Gill said that she is at the food bank every Monday as a drop in and anyone could access
the service.
She added that very often someone comes in to CAB around debt issues and it transpires
that at the core of their situation is domestic abuse. As she is on hand she can work with
CAB and provide support.
The same happens with the Samaritans, often they will call her over and she will provide
support for the person that is with them. The mental health practitioner has also sign
posted clients to her. She also provides drop ins throughout Shropshire and Telford and
Wrekin. This is to encourage those who may not be aware that services are available.
Rurality is also a barrier to people accessing services.
On one occasion a lady came in to the foodbank and after a long conversation and a risk
assessment she was deemed high risk and was able to support her longer term. She
referred her into the MARAC meeting so agencies were aware and were able to give her
support. She also provided advice about civil options. The lady may not have accessed
services if she hadn’t come to the foodbank.
Gill highlighted that often colleagues put out a call for one of their clients who have to flee
their home due to domestic abuse. A couple of months ago a colleague put an e mail out
that a lady from Worcester, that she was supporting, had been put into temporary
accommodation in Oswestry. She was able to call Liz to see if there was anything that
Oswestry Foodbank could do for her. Liz immediately authorised Morrison’s vouchers and
a food parcel including nappies to be delivered. She was able to buy some clothing for
herself and pay for a hot meal for her children. She was absolutely delighted and humbled
by the generosity of the foodbank. Just an update on this – a space had become available
In a refuge and she is now residing there living a peaceful life.
West Mercia Women’s Aid also run a 24 hour helpline and are expecting an influx of calls
during the Euros’s. Having said that – the helpline is always busy regardless of sporting
events. However the police are putting out on social media that they see an increase in
violence during these events and DA is part of those statistics.
As Liz said that The Trussell Trust would like to see an end to food poverty they at West
Mercia Women’s Aid would like to see an end to domestic abuse.

8. Colin Foot – Independent Health Practitioner
I’m an Army and RAF veteran and have been involved in mental health support for over 30
years. I’ve worked in this field in the UK, Northern Ireland, Germany and the middle east.
I’ve also worked in both adults and young person’s residential, domiciliary and community
social care.

My role at the Foodbank was previously provided by practitioners from Shropshire Mental
Health Support. My own practice is based on my training in; bereavement and loss, post-
traumatic stress counselling, critical incident stress de-briefing and trauma resilience
management (TRiM). I have a private practice providing mental health and emotional
support to staff in local charities and care homes across the County, who present with low
level mental health issues. At the Foodbank, my role is to offer emotional and signposting
support to visitors who may be experiencing distress, and is supplementary to the more in
depth support provided by Jeanne Bradley, the mental health social worker.
I maintain my links with the youth voluntary sector within the County as the incumbent
Scout commissioner for inclusion.

9. Goodbyes and Moving Forwards
Gifts presented to Volunteers: Vicky- 9 years and Ronanni- outstanding volunteering since
COVID.
Gifts to be forwarded to Cathy – longest serving volunteer and Helen.
Carl – thanked all trustees – but especially thanks to Tony and Ruth who are both stepping
down. Gift presented to Tony and gift to be forwarded to Ruth.
We thanked Liz especially for all her hard work and enthusiasm.

10. The Blessing Video – Trussell Trust
We closed the meeting.

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