A new groundbreaking foodbank hub has been launched on the White City estate.
The Hub @ 75 in Bloemfontein Road is a bold new initiative that will see advice, signposting and support services offered alongside the traditional functions of a foodbank, and is the result of a collaboration between Hammersmith and Fulham Council , H&F Foodbank and the Trussell Trust.
It will have a dedicated council-funded Citizens Advice Bureau adviser to assist foodbank clients, alongside computer and internet access.
Its aim is to help create long-term sustainable solutions to help residents so they no longer need to use food banks.
H&F Foodbank chief executive Daphine Aikens explained how the charity provided more than just food. She said: “I recently spoke to a woman at the foodbank who was expecting twins.
"She was sofa surfing just six weeks before she was due because she and her partner hit financial difficulty when her antiques business collapsed and they were evicted from their home.
“Our partnership with H&F Citizens Advice meant that not only were we able to give her emergency food and baby basics, but also housing and welfare advice; working together to provide support can make a real difference to people being able to break out of crisis.”
'This is about poverty'
Cllr Sue Fennimore, council head of social inclusion said: “Our starting point was simple – this is not just about food, it’s about poverty.
“And tackling this poverty is central to everything that H&F Council is doing. Indeed, it will be a great day when residents in our borough no longer need food banks at all.
“Through projects like the new Hub, the council is not only funding foodbanks – we are reinventing them. Targeted and meaningful support will be available for all those who come through the doors through the dedicated advice workers, in an atmosphere that people feel safe and comfortable in.”
As well as funding the full time CAB advisor, H&F has also helped the hub by providing the premises and enabling its refurbishment. It has also paid for the centre manager and covered running costs with a £45,000 per year grant.
Council leader Stephen Cowan added: “It is a priority for us to tackle food poverty and supporting the excellent people at the Trussell Trust by providing this new Hub at White City is sadly essential in this age.”
