Charity of the month feature

19 July 2022

Often charities and community groups are so busy doing what they do, that they don't have time to promote the work that they do to support their area. Ashfield Voluntary Action aims to help and from now on each month we will highlight the work a local charity is doing in our District.

We start with the foodbanks which run through St John's Community Outreach in Kirkby Woodhouse. There are two schemes which operate side-by-side; one supporting people from the local area; providing food parcels on a weekly basis. The other is an emergency service operating throughout Ashfield and Mansfield.

WEEKLY FOODBANK AT ST JOHN'S - KIRKBY WOODHOUSE

The foodbank operates once a week on a Thursday afternoon from 1.30pm through to 3.00pm and provides a wide range of tinned and dried items, fruit, vegetables and baked goods. The foodbank also provides toiletries, baby food, nappies and pet food when available, although all the goods on offer are down to kind donations from the public and local businesses, so their stock does vary.

As well as offering food parcels, St John's Foodbank also provides a friendly welcome and supports people with benefits checks and advice, debt advice and help with managing utility bills. Their specialist advice team can also signpost you to other services and makes sure that you get the help you need when you need it.  

The foodbank is mainly open to residents of Kirkby Woodhouse, Annesley Woodhouse, Selston and the surrounding area, although the service will support other Ashfield residents if they are not able to access their local foodbank. If you are not sure if you are eligible, or if the food bank is for you, you are welcome to drop in after 2.00 pm to discuss the help you need.

The Food Bank is at St John's Church Hall in Kirkby Woodhouse, opposite the Forest Tavern. The Food Bank can be contacted by email, but please note that the emails are only opened once a week when the Food Bank is running. The email is stjohnsfoodb@gmail.com

The address is:

St John's Church Hall

Skegby Road

Kirkby Woodhouse

Nottinghamshire

NG17 9JE

HOW CAN I DONATE?

If you are interested in donating to one of our local foodbanks or becoming a volunteer, please contact Sarah Taylor on 01623 555 551 or email s.taylor@ashfieldvoluntaryaction.org.uk 

EMERGENCY FOODBANK

The Emergency Foodbank operates from a Monday through to Friday by telephone and operates soley through referrals, so access to the service must be through a Social Worker, Citizens Advice, DWP or similar. Information on the scheme may be found below.