Category

• Promising Local Practice

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Poverty impact

• Mitigation

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Poverty driver

• Provide benefit in-kind (material)
• Increase income from benefits

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Keywords

• Communication
• Empowerment
• Financial Inclusion
• Food
• Social Security /Welfare

Aim

The aim of Glasgow SE Foodbank is to relieve hardship in Govanhill and the surrounding areas through the provision of emergency food parcels, and a financial inclusion service.

Summary

Glasgow SE Foodbank was founded in 2011 and serves the Glasgow Southeast area of approximately 100,000 people. It distributes emergency food parcels to those in a crisis. Since May 2023, it has provided advice and support on social security, debt, housing and fuel. Ultimately, striving to reduce the number of individuals who need to access the services provided.

What difference does it make?

Many who arrive at the Foodbank are in crisis and experiencing mental ill health. Thousands have received food parcels which has made a positive impact on their overall wellbeing and mental health, enabling them to cope with day-to-day activities without having to worry about food. In 2023/24, the financial inclusion service made a positive impact on the lives of 137 service users. Many of those who accessed the financial inclusion service needed support with benefits, utilities and managing debt. Advisors have reported that the support, advice and guidance provided by the Foodbank and Citizens Advice has had a great impact on service users’ overall wellbeing. Service users are now able to access financial advice offered by the Foodbank during opening hours without necessarily having to receive food parcels, which has also had a positive impact.

Key take-aways

• The convenience of having different services under one roof makes a big difference to those accessing the Foodbank’s services, such as the financial inclusion service. This makes it significantly easier for clients to receive advice and support, rather than having to be referred elsewhere.

 

Organisations

Glasgow SE Foodbank, Trussell Trust, Castlemilk Citizens Advice Bureau, Bridgeton Citizens Advice Bureau, and Castlemilk Law Centre.

Location

The Foodbank is located in Govanhill, Glasgow, but serves the entire Southeast of the city.

Contact