Rotherham Foodbank wins battle to secure new premises

The charity — part of the national Trussell Trust — began 11 years ago based from a walk-in cupboard at Voluntary Action Rotherham.

Demand has grown ever since and from 2013 it has been run and hosted by Hope Church in former council offices on Grove Road.

These are set to be turned into 13 apartments and, although the owners allowed six months’ extra for the foodbank, it was a race against time to find a new base.

The last day at Grove Road will be next Thursday, May 11 and Rotherham Foodbank will open at the Unity Centre on St Leonard’s Road, Eastwood, on a temporary basis on May 23.

Foodbank manager Victoria Morris said: “I used the Unity Centre lots of times before in a previous role, and there are no purpose built buildings available.

“They have been really flexible with us.

“The advantages are that it’s in walking distance from the town centre, with really easy access to the bus station.

“We needed somewhere convenient for clients, as well as volunteers and people dropping off donations, and this is only two or three minutes’ walk from Tesco.”

A crucial requirement is the need for signposting to other agencies, so clients are helped in the longer term as well as through emergency packages of food and supplies.

For example, a project with Citizens Advice helps ensure correct access to benefits and tax credits, while a new partnership with Christians Against Poverty sees “befriender” volunteers offer a free debt advice service.

Talks are also taking place to link closely with mental health charity Mind.

“This is intrinsic in what we do now,” said Victoria. “We’re a holistic hub of support.”

Demand for food continues to grow amid the cost of living crisis.

In November and December 2022, a total of 9.02 tonnes of food was supplied to clients — up from eight tonnes for the same months in 2021.

“It’s not that people aren’t donating, it’s that the increase in referrals has been quite significant,” said Victoria.

“That’s why the person-centred model is important. We know we have to focus on advocacy, and avoid dependency.”

The new opening times will be Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9am to noon.