Weston Foodbank to undertake major renovation and calls on local businesses for support

Weston-super-Mare Foodbank will be undertaking a major refurbishment project at its main centre on North Street and is asking local businesses to support them.

The foodbank, operating as a partner of the national Trussell Trust network has been working to alleviate poverty and hunger in the town since 2011, and is soon to be undertaking renovation work to its centre in order to be able to provide a service centred around dignity and compassion.

The refurbishment will encompass a complete stripping back of the building and it will be fitted out to align more with a shop style experience for clients and will move away from its current warehouse style format, instead opting for a service where clients are free to choose the items that they require instead of being handed them pre-bagged.

Frederique Wigmore, Project Manager at Weston-super-Mare Foodbank said "Since Covid we have been operating a outside style service where clients are handed their food parcels that are put together in our warehouse. We believe it's time to move on from that model and have trialed the new supermarket style set-up at our Big Worle Hub location with great success

We want to move to a model of service whereby clients are empowered by having choice through the new model. We also want to further empower clients by opening up a welcome area as part of the renovation. This area will be called 'Time for a cup of tea' and will enable clients to sit with someone if they wish and have a chat about how they are. We fell this is important as for some clients, using the service can feel a bit daunting and often they may have additional needs which we can signpost them on to for additional help"

The centre will be closed for a week whilst the work is being undertaken but services will continue during this time at the chairties other locations in the town.

The charity is also seeking the support of local businesses to assist with materials needed for the renovation and are especially keen for support with;

• Vinyl flooring

• Carpenter to pull up carpet and fit the new flooring

• Paint brushes, rollers, paint trays

• Shop style shelving 

• Small tablets

• Bistro style table and chairs

• Coffee machine

• A skip

If you would like to support Weston Foodbank with any of their requests you can contact them by email at; info@wsmfoodbank.org.uk or call 01934 708906