Journey With Us to a Hunger-Free Summer

Aim: Help people in crisis build financial independence through emergency food & essentials and expert advice to improve wellbeing and resilience

As part of the Trussell national network of foodbanks, Chesterfield Foodbank now provides a Financial Inclusion service. Trained Citizens Advice advisors are with us in our daytime foodbank centres, at Brimington, The Town Centre, Whittington Moor and Loundsley Green. Foodbank guests can receive personalised support through this service to maximise their income, navigate the benefits system, receive help with applications and ensure they are able to access their entitlements. They can get help to challenge unfair benefit decisions, and seek expert advice on managing debt and housing. Onward referrals to other services such as utilities and energy vouchers are also provided in this way. We also serve the Hope Valley Area and have an evening session at Hasland.

Since April 2024, we have provided food to 10,622 people, (8,130 adults and 2,492 children) via 5,928 foodbank vouchers. 239 people who visited our foodbank are expected to be £199,239 better off through benefit maximisation, and £379,600 of debt has been written off or managed for 104 people thanks to our Citizens Advice Financial Inclusion service.

Chesterfield Foodbank provides emergency food and essentials to local people in financial crisis. Food and toiletries, donated by generous local individuals and organisations, are sorted, picked and packed into emergency food parcels and distributed to local people who have been referred to us by front line health care professionals and support workers.

When people visit our foodbank centres, they receive a warm welcome from our volunteers, a hot drink, a snack and a friendly listening ear. We are able to help identify the root cause of their crisis and signpost to help, support and advice.

We are seeking to raise £20,000 to help us continue our operations (with a stretch target of £80,000). This will help not only to purchase 35-50% of the supplementary stock we need for the emergency food parcels and other core costs including warehouse and foodbank centre rents and overheads, but also this invaluable advisory service for the coming year.

Testimonials include:

“Was able to get advice on claiming expenses. Very Useful”

“Citizens Advice are very helpful”

“I have had an appointment made for more help”

“ I now know Citizens Advice are in Doctors”

“Very helpful and friendly”

“Friendly, helpful, informative and efficient” 

“Very helpful, was able to get an appointment to support with British Gas”

“Very welcome and friendly advice, easy to talk to”

“Alex was lovely and very helpful”

“Was made aware of help I did not know was available. Very useful service”

“Friendly worker, helpful”

“All good”

“Thank you very much for your help and assistance”

“Alex from Citizens Advice has been very helpful and supportive while speaking with them. Always has been there when you need help and advice”

“The foodbank can be a very daunting place to be. Was made to feel very comfortable. Good service!”

“Useful service was able to get a phone and benefit advice”

“Assisted with fuel vouchers, very helpful”

“Friendly and helpful”

“I was not able to get a foodbank voucher as I don’t have a phone. I was supported to get a voucher and a phone. Great service, really helpful”

“Helped with fuel vouchers”

“Very good service. Staff very helpful and kind”

“Service was helpful and easy to access. Alex was helpful”

“I was given good advice assistance whilst at Compass food bank, used and satisfied”

“ My issue has been partly resolved and calmed my anger”

“Very helpful people”

Funding method

Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made by 14th August 2025 at 12:00pm