Finchley Foodbank adds support service to tackle poverty
New initiative offers guidance on bills, benefits, and employment alongside emergency food provisions.
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The central claim is attributed to named individuals from the foodbank, but no official documents or independent sources are cited.
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Finchley Foodbank has launched a new Information and Support service to tackle the underlying causes of financial hardship. The initiative, which began in October, aims to provide clients with personalised guidance on managing bills, accessing welfare benefits, and finding employment opportunities. This expands the organisation's support beyond the emergency food parcels it has provided since 2013.
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The new service is designed to offer 'wraparound' assistance to individuals and families facing poverty in Barnet. Helena Pugh, head of information at Finchley Foodbank, developed the programme with the goal of reducing long-term reliance on emergency food provisions. The aim is to signpost clients to relevant information and advisory services that can help address the root causes of their financial difficulties.
Jeminah Francis-Pennant leads the newly formed Information and Support team. She stated her pleasure in joining Finchley Foodbank and her anticipation of assisting clients with the new service. Those attending the foodbank will be encouraged to engage with the Information and Support service to connect with wider assistance. The team will offer practical help, such as advice on reducing energy bills and checking benefit entitlements.
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Finchley Foodbank, based at St Mary’s Parish Centre in East Finchley, currently assists more than 550 people each week. The organisation has been supporting individuals in financial hardship since 2013, distributing emergency food and toiletries through two weekly sessions. The introduction of the Information and Support service is intended to make services more sustainable, particularly as the number of people needing assistance continues to rise, as reported by Times Series.
The foodbank operates with a monthly cost of approximately £12,000, relying on fundraising to purchase essential items and supplement donated stock. It is supported by St Mary’s Church and a network of over 200 local volunteers.
Questions this report answers
+What is the new service offered by Finchley Foodbank?
Finchley Foodbank has launched an Information and Support service that began in October. It offers personalised guidance to clients on managing their bills, accessing welfare benefits, and finding employment opportunities, in addition to emergency food provisions.
+Who developed the new support programme?
The new programme was developed by Helena Pugh, who is the head of information at Finchley Foodbank. The service aims to address the root causes of poverty by providing clients with relevant information and advisory support.
+How many people does Finchley Foodbank currently help each week?
Finchley Foodbank currently assists more than 550 people each week. The organisation has been providing support to individuals experiencing financial hardship since 2013, distributing emergency food and toiletries.
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