Civic Head visits Wansbeck Valley Food Bank to see vital support for local families
Ashington’s Civic Head, Councillor Caroline Ball, visited Wansbeck Valley Food Bank on Wednesday 19 August to learn more about the vital support it provides to people across Ashington and the wider Wansbeck area.
During the visit, Councillor Ball met with the team to hear about the charity’s work, the challenges facing food banks and how support from the local community helps ensure emergency food assistance remains available to those who need it.
Wansbeck Valley Food Bank is a registered charity working to prevent and alleviate poverty and financial hardship across Northumberland. It provides emergency food parcels, toiletries and nappies, while also offering tents and sleeping bags to people experiencing homelessness and awaiting accommodation.
The charity works closely with partner organisations and professionals, who refer people experiencing crisis for emergency food support. Reasons for seeking assistance can include difficulties managing money, benefit sanctions, unemployment, health problems, homelessness and fleeing domestic violence.
The scale of the challenge facing communities across the region remains significant. Recent Joseph Rowntree Foundation figures indicate that around 25% of people in the North East live below the poverty line. Based on the population of the area served by Wansbeck Valley Food Bank, this could represent more than 32,000 people who may be vulnerable to food poverty.
Ashington accounts for almost half of the food bank’s clients, with 49% of clients living in the town according to 2025 figures. During that year, almost £40,200 worth of food was provided to people in Ashington.
The food bank’s work relies heavily on local support, with volunteers, financial contributions and food donations all playing an important role. Donations are received from community groups, schools, churches, businesses, individual donors and supermarket collection days.
However, with community food donations declining, Wansbeck Valley Food Bank now purchases around 60% to 70% of its supplies from major stores and wholesalers. Rising food costs mean financial support is increasingly important in ensuring the charity can continue to respond to demand.
The food bank has also been adapting its operations to make its resources go further. This includes working with the Feeding Families Regional Food Hub in Gateshead to access discounted groceries, replacing two older vans with one larger vehicle to reduce maintenance and delivery costs, and increasing the use of dedicated collection points.
Wansbeck Valley Food Bank is also continuing to develop its services, including plans for an online referral portal linked to its client information system, while ensuring food parcels can meet a range of dietary requirements, including vegetarian, gluten-free, dairy-free and halal needs.
Ashington Town Council has provided financial support to the food bank, with funding intended to help replenish emergency food stocks and support the provision of food to residents of the town.
Wansbeck Valley Food Bank serves communities across Ashington, Newbiggin, Morpeth, Ellington, Lynemouth and Bedlington, with occasional deliveries to Amble, Scots Gap and South Blyth.
The charity’s work demonstrates the importance of partnership between local organisations, volunteers, community groups and public bodies in ensuring that people facing hardship are not left without support.
Ashington Town Council would like to thank Wansbeck Valley Food Bank for welcoming Councillor Ball and for the continued dedication of its staff, trustees and volunteers in supporting people across the local community.
If you'd like to donate to Wansbeck Valley Foodbank you do so by visiting these links:
JustGiving or PayPal
