Chesterfield Foodbank supporting thousands of families this Christmas

A local foodbank in Chesterfield, supported by the NHS and key health and social care partners, is gearing up to support thousands of families this winter.

Chesterfield Foodbank, which runs six sessions per week throughout the town, are raising funds to support their Christmas foodbank appeal.

The foodbank offer emergency food packages, but also a cup of tea and someone to talk to about bills, debts, benefits, housing, mental health, home insulation and much more, including free blood pressure tests and quit smoking advice.

Local referral agencies, including the NHS and Social Care Workers, issue foodbank vouchers to people in crisis who cannot afford to buy food.

Jacqueline DeVeaux, the foodbank’s Communications, Engagement and Funding Manager, plays a key role in co-ordinating this collaborative approach. She works closely with local organisations and networks to bring people together, strengthen partnerships, and ensure the foodbank is part of a wider system of support that benefits the whole community.

Jacqueline said: “Volunteers are the lifeblood of the foodbanks and without them, our foodbank would not be able to run.

“We recruit locally from the surrounding community and get a lot of support from faith and community groups.

“We use a mixture of church halls and community centres as venues for packing, organising and distributing the food.

“One of our volunteers visits supermarkets in the area and collects surplus baked goods and fresh produce then drops them off at the warehouse for re-distribution. She works full time at a school who also supports the foodbank by giving her time off to volunteer at the Foodbanks.

“These fresh items supplement the non-perishable items in our standard food parcels, which are generously donated by local individuals via schools, churches and supermarkets.”

Last year, the foodbank supported over 10,000 people, 84% of whom visited up to five times before they were back on their feet and no longer needed help.

Volunteers at each of the foodbank centres take time to sit with guests, listen carefully, and help unpick the root causes of each crisis.

They offer signposting to local services and make direct referrals for energy bill support and warm home assessments, and other beneficial opportunities through their Financial Inclusion partner, Citizens Advice. 

Volunteers also connect clients with “Guest Agencies” who attend the Foodbank’s Support Hub at Whittington Moor Methodist Church Hall.

These agencies are a mix of professional services and community groups who attend on a rota basis. Local organisations in addition to Citizens Advice, such as Live Life Better Derbyshire, P3 and the Safe Haven, Derbyshire Community Bank, Chesterfield Borough Council’s Housing and Neighbourhoods team, Better Housing Better Health, and many others provide face-to-face support, giving people direct routes to improve their financial security, physical and mental health, and wellbeing.

Dr Penny Blackwell, GP Partner at Hannage Brook Medical Centre and Chair and Clinical Director for Neighbourhood Health and Care at Derby and Derbyshire ICB, said: “This partnership working shows exactly the benefits of working at a neighbourhood level. It’s a great example of the need to ensure a supported, sustainable and resilient VCFSE sector for our neighbourhood approach.

“Connecting with a range of services ensures that a longer-term offer is in place for our communities. Initiatives like foodbanks are helping to address the wider determinants of health which have a huge knock-on effect for the NHS so helping them to thrive is in everybody’s interests.

“Helping people with their basic living standards means they can start each day from a much better level of mental and physical health. It helps them but it also helps the wider health and care system in the longer term. Prevention is better than cure.”

Charlotte, one of the volunteers at the foodbank, commented on how she got involved:

“I live locally and saw a hand-written postcard in the chemist window. I thought about it for a few days and then noticed another one in the Post Office. I want to support people in my community as well as be part of something positive which makes a difference, so here I am!”

Jacqueline went on to describe the collaborative culture of local voluntary and community-led organisations in supporting people in Chesterfield:

“People are in touch all the time, sharing equipment, food, vans.  

“The Feeding Chesterfield Network is amazing for all that. Last week a tray of spring onions became available from Monkwood Community Hut – an independent foodbank. Within minutes, Waste Not Café had messaged to say they could make use of them for a monthly community meal at the Baptist Church on Sunday.”

The value created by community-led networks such as these supports wellbeing in ways often unseen, yet their impact on health, dignity and hope is profound.

You can help Chesterfield foodbank by donating below, with donations matched by Aviva until 23 December.

https://www.avivacommunityfund.co.uk/p/chesterfieldfoodbankchristmas2025