FAIR Frome has had a challenging but ultimately successful year in meeting its aim to provide practical support for those experiencing financial, health and social difficulties. The charity serves the community of Frome and surrounding villages.
Lenka Grimes, senior coordinator said, “For many people in Frome the past year has been an extremely challenging one, with rising food and energy bills and inflation hitting individuals and families.
“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.”
The charity says that over the past year, some of the services they have provided include:
- Our food bank, which has given out food parcels to 560 individuals and 815 families over the past year with additional items of fresh food like eggs, milk, cheese, butter and fresh fruit and vegetables
- Given out over 2,500 vouchers through the food bank for fresh fruit and veg from a local shop
- Given out over 2,400 vouchers for a local butcher to provide quality and fresh meat
- Given out over 1,200 vouchers for a local baker to provide quality and fresh bread
- Given out over 200 Christmas food parcels
- Given out over 400 wrapped personalised Christmas presents for children
- Supported the Frome Christmas Get-Together this year in three locations which provided around 200 meals and company on Christmas Day
- Food at Five: Our team have provided over 120 hot meals every week in three different areas of the town, free to anyone on benefits or low income, offering a warm space and support in a welcoming environment
- Holiday Lunches: Provided on average 100 hot lunches per week in every school holiday combined with activities delivered by partner Purple Elephant, to referred families
- Furniture Bank: Supported over 150 households in the Frome area. We have repaired cookers and washing machines where possible and provided free white goods and household furniture to referred individuals and families. These have been donated, refurbished and recycled, therefore saving them from going to landfill
- Assistance Scheme: Providing school uniforms, refurbished laptops, 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, formula and nappies for referred families
- Hosted weekly homeless and rough sleepers support services and housing advice drop ins with partner organisations
- Hosted meetings with partners, referrers, 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.”
Rebecca Harrison, assistant coordinator added, “We were delighted to start our community pantry in June this year, offering a low-cost shop to members for a six-month period, to facilitate sustainable access to food and allow individuals and families to budget. The scheme currently has 58 members and is growing.”
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”
Fair Frome can be contacted at info@fairfrome.org or on 01373 488578/077145. For more information visit www.fairfrome.org
