Published on behalf of Fair Frome - the year in review 2023

Fair Frome, serving the community of Frome and surrounding villages, has had a challenging but ultimately successful year in meeting its aim to provide practical support for those experiencing financial, health and social difficulties.

Lenka Grimes, Senior Coordinator said: "For many people in Frome the past year has been an extremely challenging one with rising food and fuel bills and inflation hitting individuals and families locally and adding to their burdens. Over 40% of our food bank users are in work but with high local housing rental prices and low wages they are unable to make ends meet. As a local charity as well as providing practical support we have also provided emotional support to those who come to our doors in crisis." Over the past year some of the services we have provided include:

·       Our Food Bank, which has given out food parcels to 534 Individuals, 218 couples and 436 families over the past year with additional items of fresh food like eggs, milk, cheese, butte and fresh fruit and vegetables.

·       Collected and distributed 41,000kgs of food through our food bank

·       Given out over 2,000 vouchers through the food bank for fresh fruit and veg from a local shop.

·       Given out over 2,000 meat vouchers for a local butcher to provide quality and fresh food.

·       Given out over 700 bread vouchers for a local baker to provide quality and fresh bread.

·       Given out over 300 wrapped personalised Christmas presents for children

·       Supported The Frome Christmas Get-Together this year in 3 locations which is providing 200 meals and company on Christmas day.

·       Food at Five: Our team have provided over 120 hot meals every week in 3 different areas of the town, free to anyone on benefits or low income. This started back inside in September providing a warm space and a hot sit-down meal in a welcoming environment.

·       Holiday Hunger: Provided an average of 35 meals per session 3 times per week in school holidays combined with activities delivered by partner Purple Elephant, to referred families.

·       Furniture Bank: Supported over 100 households in the Frome area. We have repaired cookers and washing machines where possible. Provided free white goods and household furniture to referred individuals, couples and families. These have been donated, refurbished and recycled, therefore saving them from going to landfill.

·       Assistance Scheme: Providing school uniforms, refurbished laptops for children doing remote learning, vouchers for clothes and shoes, transport for appointments, carpets and many other essential items to referred families. Frome Lions, Kevin Corcoran and Rotary have worked with us to provide funding for carpets.

·       Baby Basics Bank providing baby equipment for referred families

·       Supported local businesses through our purchasing.

·       Organised local meetings with other statutory and voluntary groups to look at levels of need and coordinate practical support.

·       Campaigned on issues relating to local poverty. We are also affiliated to the Independent Food Aid Network (IFAN), the Living Wage Foundation and The Equality Trust and have supported their campaigns and contributed to national workshops on rural poverty. We have also campaigned for better access to local businesses and shops for those with hidden or visible disabilities.

·       Community Pantry –opened in June offering a low cost shop to members for a 6 month period to facilitate a sustainable access to food and allow budgeting

Karen Stewart, Co- Chair of trustees said; "On behalf of our trustees I would like to give a huge thank you to everyone in Frome who has supported us over the past year - staff and volunteers, local Councils, businesses, The Rotary Clubs, Inner Wheel, Frome Lions, charities, churches, schools, all our referrers, voluntary agencies and the many thousands of individual people and families who have donated their time, food and funds to help us continue our work.

The cost of living crisis will continue to have a huge impact on our work.

Our move to new premises at Unit 7 Longacre, Mooracre, Marston Trading Estate has enabled us to meet the growing demand on our services and to provide an inclusive, accessible environment where people are treated with respect and dignity.

With our committed staff group, volunteers and Trustees and the support of the strong local community we will face future challenges as we have others and do all in our power to maintain and grow services to meet the growing need."