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FAQs
Here are answers to frequently asked questions:
WHO ARE WE?
West Berks Foodbank is a franchised member of the Trussel Trust. We operate autonomously within this network of 1300+ foodbanks, having begun our charitable work in West Berkshire in 2013.
We are run by our trustees and three full time staff. Our collecting, sorting, signposting, supporting, storing and delivering work is done by an additional 165 or so unpaid volunteers.
We are enormously proud of the team and the impact they have, adding kindness to life and making a tangible difference every day.
WHAT DO WE DO?
Our main role is to source and distribute much-needed food and essential items to those who need it, alleviating hunger, restoring dignity and reviving hope.
When people cannot afford to cook (or heat their home) we can often help with fuel costs. Our Welfare and Benefits Advisor can help clients with their finances. We also help to reconnect people to their communities, across welfare, housing, medical needs and beyond.
Vitally, we provide human support, willing ears – and shoulders to lean on.
Everyone is an individual and every individual matters. Our job is to make every journey through life better.
HOW MANY PEOPLE DO WE HELP?
In the last year we delivered around 325,000 meals to people across West Berkshire.
Regularly supporting 10 other agencies or charities to support their mission.
We also provide food to 1,100 children a week during school holidays, distributed via 45+ local schools.
As long as people need us, we’re here to help.
WHO CAN USE THE FOODBANK?
Anyone who – for whatever reason – cannot afford to feed themselves or their family. This could be anyone affected by the cost-of-living crisis or adverse circumstances. There is no shame in asking for assistance: it is a privilege to be able to help.
WHERE DOES THE FOOD COME FROM?
Generous shoppers donate via the collection bins we provide to our partner supermarkets. We run highly effective on-site promotions once or twice a year in high-footfall supermarkets. Local businesses also run donation events. Its our churches and schools that underpin so much of what we do. Harvest Festival, Lent and Christmas are times when our school and church partners step up.
In addition, we buy in large quantities of fresh fruit and vegetables, ensuring our clients and their dependents get fed healthily as well as regularly.
HOW CAN I GET REFERRED?
We help anyone in West Berkshire who is referred to us.
Such referrals come from literally hundreds of sources, including charities, local authorities, schools, churches, Citizens Advice, GPs, housing associations and social workers.
So if you need support, your first option is to talk to one of the above and ask them for a food bank referral: you will then get a voucher entitling you to our services.
I DON’T HAVE A REFEREE: WHO CAN I CALL?
Citizens Advice run a Help through Hardship advice line, paid for by the Trussel Trust. The number is 0808 208 2138.
The line is very popular so you may have to wait 30-60 minutes to get through. It’s worth the wait though: calls are free and this is a great way to get the answers you want.
If you need urgent help and have nowhere else to go, please contact West Berkshire Council on 01635 551111
Alternatively:
07836 500610: Fran Chamings, Foodbank Manager
07512 774864: Laura Iaschi, Warehouse Manager
WHAT HAPPENS AFTER A REFERRAL?
After a successful referral you will be invited to visit your local Distribution Centre. We have seven in all: three in Newbury, one in Thatcham, one in Hungerford, one at Burghfield & Mortimer and one in Calcot.
If you live within a 30 minute walk (ie around a mile or so), you simply pitch up for a cup of tea and a chat during opening hours (see below).
If you cannot get to a Distribution Centre, we come to you. We have a group of volunteer drivers who use their own vehicles to deliver food and household items direct to clients’ doors on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Once you have been referred, we will contact you so just let us know your needs and we’ll do the rest.
WHERE CAN I FIND YOU?
We don’t operate a drop-in service (though we would never turn anyone away in a crisis). Once you have a voucher number, we’re open as follows:
Our warehouse (our main HQ) is staffed every weekday, from 9am to 12 midday.
80 Greenham Business Park
Greenham,
Thatcham
RG19 6HW
https://westberks.foodbank.org.uk
Our distribution centres are open from 1pm to 3pm on the following days:
Mondays: The Calcot Centre, 3 Highview, Calcot, Reading RG31 4XD.
Tuesdays: Kennet Christian Centre, 12 Enborne Rd, Newbury RG14 6AH.
Wednesdays: Hungerford Methodist Church, Bridge Street, Hungerford RG17 0EH.
Thursdays: Thatcham Baptist Church, Wheelers Green Way, Thatcham RG19 4YF.
Thursday: Greenham Community Centre, The Nightingales, Newbury RG14 7SZ.
Fridays: Salvation Army Hall, Northcroft Lane, Newbury RG14 1BU.
Fridays: St Oswalds RC Church, Abbey Park, Burghfield Common, Reading RG7 3HQ.
WHAT HAPPENS AT THE DISTRIBUTION CENTRE?
We create and provide food parcels which fit each client’s particular needs and preferences but are also on hand to share ideas and insights.
Our partners from Sovereign Housing, the Samaritans and Recovery in Mind offer help and advice at the Distribution Centres. Let us know what would be useful and we’ll let you know who is available when.
A chat can lead in all sorts of directions. For example, we and our partners might help with heating; a referral to someone specialising in your underlying issue; an addiction; clothes for an interview; finding ways to economise; or balancing bills.
HOW LONG DOES MY REFERRAL LAST?
You’ll need a new voucher number for each food bank parcel, these vouchers last for 7 days from issue. As long as your circumstances remain unchanged, another referral is easily arranged via your referral contact.
CAN YOU TRUST US?
You most certainly can! We are highly respected, long-established and professionally-run. Our operations are professionally audited and we report annually to the Charity Commission. Every penny donated is spent locally helping clients and paying for the people, facilities and tools to support them. As an indication of our stature in the community, The Greenham Trust (which supports more than 5,000 good causes in West Berkshire and North Hampshire) voted us their inaugural Charity of the Year in 2023, and Team of the Year 2025.
WHO FUNDS US?
We have recently been given some funding by the Council, but ever since we began operating, we have been funded by private individuals and organisations via https://westberks.foodbank.org.uk/give-help/donate-money.
Without the generosity of businesses and the general public, we could not operate.
WHAT IS THE FUTURE FOR WEST BERKS FOODBANK?
As more and more people use our services, we aim to expand our operations, adding a mobile van for client deliveries to the two we use for collections.
We are also looking to move to a larger warehouse.
However, our real ambition is to go out of business! An advanced nation such as ours should not need foodbanks.
The day we are no longer needed will be a day of celebration.