Starbucks Exeter High Street

We are one of the many foodbanks supporting people in crisis. We accept food and financial donations in order to provide the service. Our Distribution Centres are staffed by many volunteers. We have seven centres in the Northern Devon Foodbank; together covering a rural area of over 800 square miles. We service the whole of Torridge and North Devon Districts including the areas of Barnstaple, Bideford, Braunton, Hartland, Holsworthy, Ilfracombe, Lynton, South Molton, Torrington, and the surrounding villages. Quite a logistical feat! In 2020 we distributed over 125 tonnes of food supporting nearly 12,000 people (4,500 of those were children). That support extends to more than just food; we are dedicated to tackling the underlying causes of crisis not just applying a 'sticking plaster' to the problem. All of our services are aimed at moving people out of crisis and into a place of self-sufficiency. Our customers are normally referred to us by frontline agencies who commit to our principles of ending UK hunger by ensuring that people can care for themselves. Having over 400 referrers helps to ensure that people are getting the support they need in all walks of life. We are also proactive in educating people in food use and nutrition. Whilst we operate to a high common standard, each of our local centres is allowed to adapt for local needs. For example, in Ilfracombe we have a Community Cafe providing good nutritional meals every Tuesday Our ultimate aim is to see a society where foodbanks are no longer necessary and we will do everything in our power to achieve that.

Our teams patrol the Town Centre during the night (up to 4.00 a.m.) to provide support to anyone who needs some care. We also attend anti-social incidents and the Police have recorded a 54% drop in their involvement in such incidents when we patrol. Our Street Pastors are First Aid trained, fully equipped, and are able to give immediate assistance where required. During the patrols we engage with the public, licensed door staff, police and emergency services to encourage a safe and peaceful environment. Practical assistance includes First Aid, conflict resolution, removal of potential weapons from the streets, disposal of controlled drugs, flip-flops for vulnerable feet and lollipops for loud mouths! Street Pastors are all volunteers and have to finance the cost of all-weather uniforms and supplies. We have 25 Volunteers

TRANSITIONS is a mentoring project that aims to reduce isolation, increase individuals confidence and motivation, improve individuals ability to maintain health and wellbeing, increase employability and improve individuals ability to maintain a tenancy. Transitions volunteers provide informal, non-professional ‘moral’ support for anyone going through a tough time or who would like to make changes in their life to improve their independence and wellbeing. The kind of things we can help with include: linking people into social activities to reduce social isolation, volunteering opportunities, courses or groups; support to organise a move; be a ‘listening ear’ and someone to bounce ideas off; basic budgeting and thrift; linking people into specialist services such as debt advice; helping clients to find ways to manage health conditions and the impact on their life; goal-setting, action planning, motivation and encouragement. Does this sound like a project you would like to be involved with? If so, why not volunteer to be a mentor!