About Chesterfield Foodbank | Chesterfield Foodbank

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About Chesterfield Foodbank

Here is an introduction to our project.

Who We Are

Chesterfield Foodbank is a local charity, established in June 2013, supporting people across Chesterfield and the surrounding areas who are facing financial hardship. We became a registered charity in 2017 and are part of the Trussell network of over 1,400 foodbanks across the UK.

We provide emergency food and essential items alongside practical, onward support to help individuals and families stabilise their situation and reduce the need for future emergency food provision. We work to ensure that no one in our community is left without the essentials they need to survive.

But we are more than a foodbank.

Our Vision, Mission and Values

Vision

Our vision is a Chesterfield without the need for food banks.

Mission

To distribute emergency food and other essentials while working with partner organisations to ensure people get the help and professional advice they need to address the underlying causes of crisis.

Values

Our work is guided by the following values:

Compassion
Dignity
Community
Justice

What We Do

Each year, we support thousands of people through:

Emergency food parcels distributed across our network of centres
Essential items such as toiletries, personal hygiene items, nappies, pet food, cleaning products
A referral system working with local agencies and professionals
An early intervention support approach, helping people access wider support early

We are committed to providing a welcoming, respectful, and non-judgemental service to everyone who comes through our doors.

More Than Food

We recognise that needing a food parcel is often a sign of deeper challenges, such as debt, housing issues, low income or health challenges.

That’s why we have developed our Support Hub, a space where people can access help beyond food.

In collaboration with over 20 local support agencies, we connect people with expert advice and services, including:

Financial and debt advice, including Citizens Advice
Housing and homelessness support
Mental health and wellbeing services
Employment and skills support
Addiction recovery services
Support for carers and families

Our aim is not just to meet immediate need, but to help people move towards greater stability and independence.

Where we are located

We operate foodbank sessions across Chesterfield at:

Brimington
Hasland
West Bars (Town Centre)
Whittington Moor
Loundsley Green

We also support people living in the Hope Valley area via our rural delivery service.

Our work is supported by a central warehouse in Sheepbridge and a small fleet of vans that help us collect and distribute donations across our network.

Referral Process

People are referred to the foodbank by local agencies such as:

Citizens Advice
Housing teams
Health professionals
Schools and statutory support services
Charities

These agencies understand each person’s situation and are best placed to identify when someone is in crisis and needs emergency food.

Clients are issued with an electronic foodbank voucher, which they bring to one of our centres. This ensures support is targeted to those who need it, while also connecting people to wider help.

From Donation to Distribution

Our foodbank relies on the incredible generosity of the local community, and our teams of amazing volunteers:

Donations of non-perishable food are collected from supermarkets, churches, schools and community centres
Food is transported to our warehouse by our vans
Volunteers weigh, sort, and organise items by type and best-before date
Food is packed into emergency parcels according to family size
Parcels are delivered to our centres, ready for collection

This coordinated effort ensures we can respond quickly and efficiently to local need.

Surplus Food

Alongside our emergency food provision, we also redistribute surplus food donated by local supermarkets several times each week.

This includes fresh items such as bread, pastries, and vegetables that would otherwise go to waste. Our volunteers collect these donations and distribute them through our foodbank centres, making them available to clients alongside their food parcels.

This helps to reduce food waste while providing additional, fresh food options for the people we support.

What Happens at a Foodbank Centre

When someone arrives at a foodbank centre, they are welcomed by our volunteers in a warm and respectful environment.

Alongside a 3-day emergency food parcel, people are:

Offered a hot drink and a snack
Given time and space to talk, if they wish
Supported by trained volunteers who can listen and signpost to further help using our Signposting Toolkit

All clients visiting our foodbanks in person have access to our Support Hub, which is designed to help people access advice and services that address the underlying causes of crisis.

Since September 2025, the Support Hub has also been accessible to people who are not in financial crisis, enabling earlier intervention and helping to prevent the need for emergency food support.

Who We Help

People who need a foodbank come from all walks of life. They may be family members, neighbours, colleagues, or friends.

We support individuals and families experiencing a wide range of challenges, including:

People who are unemployed and seeking work
People in low-paid or insecure employment
Individuals who are unwell or living with disabilities
People recently discharged from hospital or other institutions
Families facing difficult or unstable circumstances
People who are insecurely housed or facing homelessness.
People affected by changes to benefits or delays in payments
Families struggling during school holidays without access to free school meals

Anyone can find themselves in crisis. We are here to provide support at that moment, without judgement.

Working Together

Our work is made possible through the generosity of our community.

We are supported by:

Local businesses, supermarkets and corporate partners
Schools, churches, and community groups
Individual donors and funders
A dedicated team of over 120 volunteers

We also work closely with partners such as Citizens Advice and other local organisations to deliver joined-up, person-centred support.

Our Impact

Our work is driven by real need in our community. Over the past year (2025):

5,419 foodbank vouchers were fulfilled
9,595 people were supported with emergency food
23% of those supported were children

In the past year, we have:

Supported thousands of people across Chesterfield
Distributed vital emergency food supplies
Connected individuals with support services
Strengthened partnerships across the local community, including working with schools and delivering foodbank assemblies

Our work goes beyond food. Through our in-house Citizens Advice service, we are helping people improve their financial situation and move towards greater stability.

Since April 2024:

424 people who visited our foodbank are expected to be £378,399 better off through benefit maximisation support
£997,288 of debt has been written off or managed for 258 people through financial inclusion advice

These outcomes demonstrate the importance of providing joined-up support that addresses the root causes of poverty, not just the immediate need.

Leadership and Governance

Chesterfield Foodbank is governed by a dedicated Board of Trustees who meet quarterly and provide strategic direction, oversight, and accountability for our work.

Our Trustees bring a range of skills and experience ensure strong financial management, governance, and compliance. They are supported by key roles including a Treasurer and Secretary.

The day-to-day running of the foodbank is led by two paid members of staff: our Operations Manager and our Communications, Engagement and Funding Manager. Together, they oversee service delivery and logistics, volunteer recruitment and training, fundraising, safeguarding, and the ongoing development of our work through partnerships and outreach.

This structure ensures we maintain strong governance, effective leadership, and a well-managed, pro-active service for the community we support.