Everyone who comes to the foodbank for emergency food needs to have a valid foodbank voucher.
Our foodbank works using a voucher referral system.
Find out more about how we work.
We know that anyone can find themselves at crisis point for a number of different reasons.
In order to provide the most appropriate help for the circumstances of your situation we work with local agencies. If they feel you are struggling to put food on the table, they will issue you with a foodbank voucher. The local agency can also provide long term support if needed to help address some of the issues behind the reasons for your crisis.
Call our free national helpline
If you are in financial crisis and live in England or Wales, please call our free national helpline, Help through Hardship, on 0808 2082138 for free (open Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm, closed on public holidays) to talk confidentially with a trained Citizens Advice adviser. They can help address your crises and provide support to maximise your income, help you navigate the benefits system, and identify any additional grants you could be entitled to. If needed, they’ll issue you with a voucher so you can get an emergency food parcel from your local food bank.
Translators and Relay UK
Please ask the adviser if you need a translator, this will be provided via Language Line. If you can’t hear or speak on the phone you can use Relay UK. Find out how to use Relay UK →
Once you have been issued with a voucher, you can exchange this for a minimum of three days of emergency food at your nearest foodbank centre.
If you are a referral agency and would like to become a registered voucher holder for our foodbank, please contact us to find out more.