West Northumberland Food Bank
@westnorthfoodbank.bsky.social
Charity dedicated to creating a community where no one faces food insecurity. Working to provide emergency food and practical support to individuals and families experiencing financial challenges in West Northumberland, to help them get back on their feet.
Each week, around 60 fresh food parcels leave the food bank alongside our standard parcels. They give households access to nutritious food that can be difficult to afford, helping people make more varied meals at home.
September 18, 2026 at 7:00 AM
Each week, around 60 fresh food parcels leave the food bank alongside our standard parcels. They give households access to nutritious food that can be difficult to afford, helping people make more varied meals at home.
70% more families and children needed our support this summer than during the same period last year.
What we're seeing through our Helpline is how little room many household budgets have left to absorb six weeks of extra costs, a drop in income or another essential expense.
What we're seeing through our Helpline is how little room many household budgets have left to absorb six weeks of extra costs, a drop in income or another essential expense.
September 16, 2026 at 5:01 PM
70% more families and children needed our support this summer than during the same period last year.
What we're seeing through our Helpline is how little room many household budgets have left to absorb six weeks of extra costs, a drop in income or another essential expense.
What we're seeing through our Helpline is how little room many household budgets have left to absorb six weeks of extra costs, a drop in income or another essential expense.
Our delivery service means we can reach people wherever they live, including some of the most rural and isolated parts of West Northumberland.
And none of those miles happen without our volunteer drivers. 🚐
Without them, many people would struggle to access support.
And none of those miles happen without our volunteer drivers. 🚐
Without them, many people would struggle to access support.
September 2, 2026 at 7:00 AM
Our delivery service means we can reach people wherever they live, including some of the most rural and isolated parts of West Northumberland.
And none of those miles happen without our volunteer drivers. 🚐
Without them, many people would struggle to access support.
And none of those miles happen without our volunteer drivers. 🚐
Without them, many people would struggle to access support.
Our helpline and delivery service have re-opened today.
If you or someone you know needs support we're open Monday to Friday, 10am-2pm.
📲 Telephone: 01434 700068
📧 Email: [email protected]
If you or someone you know needs support we're open Monday to Friday, 10am-2pm.
📲 Telephone: 01434 700068
📧 Email: [email protected]
September 1, 2026 at 9:00 AM
Our helpline and delivery service have re-opened today.
If you or someone you know needs support we're open Monday to Friday, 10am-2pm.
📲 Telephone: 01434 700068
📧 Email: [email protected]
If you or someone you know needs support we're open Monday to Friday, 10am-2pm.
📲 Telephone: 01434 700068
📧 Email: [email protected]
📢 Bank Holiday opening hours
Our helpline and delivery service will be closed for the Bank Holiday weekend.
We’ll close at 2pm on Friday and reopen at 10am on Tuesday 1 September.
📲 Telephone: 01434 700068
📧 Email: [email protected]
Our helpline and delivery service will be closed for the Bank Holiday weekend.
We’ll close at 2pm on Friday and reopen at 10am on Tuesday 1 September.
📲 Telephone: 01434 700068
📧 Email: [email protected]
August 28, 2026 at 7:00 AM
📢 Bank Holiday opening hours
Our helpline and delivery service will be closed for the Bank Holiday weekend.
We’ll close at 2pm on Friday and reopen at 10am on Tuesday 1 September.
📲 Telephone: 01434 700068
📧 Email: [email protected]
Our helpline and delivery service will be closed for the Bank Holiday weekend.
We’ll close at 2pm on Friday and reopen at 10am on Tuesday 1 September.
📲 Telephone: 01434 700068
📧 Email: [email protected]
Every year, our volunteers join the team helping Tynedale Lions keep the beer flowing at Tynedale Beer Festival 🍺 which has now raised more than £1.1 million for local charities and good causes.
We're over the moon to be among the four charities chosen to benefit from this year's event!
We're over the moon to be among the four charities chosen to benefit from this year's event!
August 26, 2026 at 7:00 PM
Every year, our volunteers join the team helping Tynedale Lions keep the beer flowing at Tynedale Beer Festival 🍺 which has now raised more than £1.1 million for local charities and good causes.
We're over the moon to be among the four charities chosen to benefit from this year's event!
We're over the moon to be among the four charities chosen to benefit from this year's event!
Food, rent, debt, childcare and income problems often overlap. They’re different pressures, but often the underlying problem is the same: there simply isn’t enough money to cover everything.
Read more about what this means locally: https://ow.ly/ocsC50ZBO1s
Read more about what this means locally: https://ow.ly/ocsC50ZBO1s
August 20, 2026 at 9:36 AM
Food, rent, debt, childcare and income problems often overlap. They’re different pressures, but often the underlying problem is the same: there simply isn’t enough money to cover everything.
Read more about what this means locally: https://ow.ly/ocsC50ZBO1s
Read more about what this means locally: https://ow.ly/ocsC50ZBO1s
Life can unravel much faster than people realise — a few weeks was all it took for Mark to lose his home, his income and any sense of what came next.
The food we provide matters. But so does having someone who listens.
The food we provide matters. But so does having someone who listens.
August 11, 2026 at 8:01 AM
Life can unravel much faster than people realise — a few weeks was all it took for Mark to lose his home, his income and any sense of what came next.
The food we provide matters. But so does having someone who listens.
The food we provide matters. But so does having someone who listens.
1,674 hours spent listening and supporting people across West Northumberland this year.
Many conversations start with food, but rarely end there.
They become conversations about debt, housing, benefits, caring responsibilities and everything else that can leave a household struggling to cope.
Many conversations start with food, but rarely end there.
They become conversations about debt, housing, benefits, caring responsibilities and everything else that can leave a household struggling to cope.
August 5, 2026 at 9:00 AM
1,674 hours spent listening and supporting people across West Northumberland this year.
Many conversations start with food, but rarely end there.
They become conversations about debt, housing, benefits, caring responsibilities and everything else that can leave a household struggling to cope.
Many conversations start with food, but rarely end there.
They become conversations about debt, housing, benefits, caring responsibilities and everything else that can leave a household struggling to cope.
Food banks are often described through the lens of emergency food provision. But what we see every day is far more complex than that. This short film reflects some of what the first half of the year has looked like for us, and how we continue to provide support that is right for the situation.
May 21, 2026 at 6:03 PM
Food banks are often described through the lens of emergency food provision. But what we see every day is far more complex than that. This short film reflects some of what the first half of the year has looked like for us, and how we continue to provide support that is right for the situation.
What if your health or someone else's meant you couldn’t work, not just for days, but longer?
Income drops. Bills don’t.
It doesn’t take much for things to become hard to manage.
When people reach out for support, it’s rarely just about food.
Income drops. Bills don’t.
It doesn’t take much for things to become hard to manage.
When people reach out for support, it’s rarely just about food.
May 15, 2026 at 8:21 AM
What if your health or someone else's meant you couldn’t work, not just for days, but longer?
Income drops. Bills don’t.
It doesn’t take much for things to become hard to manage.
When people reach out for support, it’s rarely just about food.
Income drops. Bills don’t.
It doesn’t take much for things to become hard to manage.
When people reach out for support, it’s rarely just about food.
Food poverty is a health issue.
If people can’t afford enough food, nutritious food or the essentials that keep them well, health suffers — something we see clearly, with 59% of the people we support currently in treatment for physical or mental health conditions.
If people can’t afford enough food, nutritious food or the essentials that keep them well, health suffers — something we see clearly, with 59% of the people we support currently in treatment for physical or mental health conditions.
May 14, 2026 at 8:00 PM
Food poverty is a health issue.
If people can’t afford enough food, nutritious food or the essentials that keep them well, health suffers — something we see clearly, with 59% of the people we support currently in treatment for physical or mental health conditions.
If people can’t afford enough food, nutritious food or the essentials that keep them well, health suffers — something we see clearly, with 59% of the people we support currently in treatment for physical or mental health conditions.
We see parents every day trying to hold things together for as long as possible. Skipping meals themselves, trying to shield their children from how difficult things have become.
Good to see Comic Relief brining attention to this and helping push the conversation forward. youtu.be/bNPoJZ4MQvs?...
Good to see Comic Relief brining attention to this and helping push the conversation forward. youtu.be/bNPoJZ4MQvs?...
Let's Put Hunger To Bed | A Poem by Richard Curtis and narrated by Jodie Whittaker
YouTube video by Comic Relief Stories
youtu.be
May 13, 2026 at 9:21 AM
We see parents every day trying to hold things together for as long as possible. Skipping meals themselves, trying to shield their children from how difficult things have become.
Good to see Comic Relief brining attention to this and helping push the conversation forward. youtu.be/bNPoJZ4MQvs?...
Good to see Comic Relief brining attention to this and helping push the conversation forward. youtu.be/bNPoJZ4MQvs?...
Food banks are often described as emergency food providers. In reality, we see the impact of health inequality, debt, poor housing, low income and gaps in support.
It’s reflected in what we see:
More people reaching out for the first time.
Pressure is sustained.
Support goes beyond immediate need.
It’s reflected in what we see:
More people reaching out for the first time.
Pressure is sustained.
Support goes beyond immediate need.
May 7, 2026 at 6:00 AM
Food banks are often described as emergency food providers. In reality, we see the impact of health inequality, debt, poor housing, low income and gaps in support.
It’s reflected in what we see:
More people reaching out for the first time.
Pressure is sustained.
Support goes beyond immediate need.
It’s reflected in what we see:
More people reaching out for the first time.
Pressure is sustained.
Support goes beyond immediate need.
The benefits system is hard enough to navigate at the best of times.
When you are already under pressure, a confusing, punitive or slow system can push people closer to crisis.
People need support that prevents hardship, not processes that deepen it.
When you are already under pressure, a confusing, punitive or slow system can push people closer to crisis.
People need support that prevents hardship, not processes that deepen it.
May 6, 2026 at 7:01 PM
The benefits system is hard enough to navigate at the best of times.
When you are already under pressure, a confusing, punitive or slow system can push people closer to crisis.
People need support that prevents hardship, not processes that deepen it.
When you are already under pressure, a confusing, punitive or slow system can push people closer to crisis.
People need support that prevents hardship, not processes that deepen it.
It’s a small shift in language, but an important one.
This is not a new conversation. But this shift matters. Food insecurity is not about individual circumstances in isolation. It is shaped by the systems people navigate every day: income, housing, transport, health and access to support.
This is not a new conversation. But this shift matters. Food insecurity is not about individual circumstances in isolation. It is shaped by the systems people navigate every day: income, housing, transport, health and access to support.
April 22, 2026 at 12:30 PM
It’s a small shift in language, but an important one.
This is not a new conversation. But this shift matters. Food insecurity is not about individual circumstances in isolation. It is shaped by the systems people navigate every day: income, housing, transport, health and access to support.
This is not a new conversation. But this shift matters. Food insecurity is not about individual circumstances in isolation. It is shaped by the systems people navigate every day: income, housing, transport, health and access to support.
“Scrapping the #twochildlimit IS a moral victory” — but new data from DWP shows nearly 1 in 3 children in the #NorthEast are still growing up in poverty.
Progress matters. But the system is still leaving families without enough to get by.
labourlist.org/2026/04/soci... @nechildpoverty.bsky.social
Progress matters. But the system is still leaving families without enough to get by.
labourlist.org/2026/04/soci... @nechildpoverty.bsky.social
'Scrapping the two-child limit is a huge moral victory, but our social security system still traps families in poverty' - LabourList
Poverty in the UK is not inevitable but as a result of political choices has been built into the design of our social security system.
labourlist.org
April 21, 2026 at 7:09 PM
“Scrapping the #twochildlimit IS a moral victory” — but new data from DWP shows nearly 1 in 3 children in the #NorthEast are still growing up in poverty.
Progress matters. But the system is still leaving families without enough to get by.
labourlist.org/2026/04/soci... @nechildpoverty.bsky.social
Progress matters. But the system is still leaving families without enough to get by.
labourlist.org/2026/04/soci... @nechildpoverty.bsky.social
This isn’t unusual.
£5.50 left on the meter.
£6 a day in standing charges — before anything else.
Struggling before you even start.
Thanks to support from Northern Gas Networks, we’ve supported more than 245 households through our Winter Warmth Scheme.
£5.50 left on the meter.
£6 a day in standing charges — before anything else.
Struggling before you even start.
Thanks to support from Northern Gas Networks, we’ve supported more than 245 households through our Winter Warmth Scheme.
April 8, 2026 at 6:20 PM
This isn’t unusual.
£5.50 left on the meter.
£6 a day in standing charges — before anything else.
Struggling before you even start.
Thanks to support from Northern Gas Networks, we’ve supported more than 245 households through our Winter Warmth Scheme.
£5.50 left on the meter.
£6 a day in standing charges — before anything else.
Struggling before you even start.
Thanks to support from Northern Gas Networks, we’ve supported more than 245 households through our Winter Warmth Scheme.
Our helpline and delivery service have re-opened today.
We’re open Monday to Friday, 10am–2pm, and our team is ready to listen and help where we can.
📲 Telephone: 01434700068
📧 Email: [email protected]
We’re open Monday to Friday, 10am–2pm, and our team is ready to listen and help where we can.
📲 Telephone: 01434700068
📧 Email: [email protected]
April 7, 2026 at 9:00 AM
Our helpline and delivery service have re-opened today.
We’re open Monday to Friday, 10am–2pm, and our team is ready to listen and help where we can.
📲 Telephone: 01434700068
📧 Email: [email protected]
We’re open Monday to Friday, 10am–2pm, and our team is ready to listen and help where we can.
📲 Telephone: 01434700068
📧 Email: [email protected]
Our Helpline is now closed for Easter and will re-open at 10am on Tuesday 7th April.
If you need support send us a message or email us and one of the team will get back to you when we re-open on Tuesday.
📧 [email protected]
If you need support send us a message or email us and one of the team will get back to you when we re-open on Tuesday.
📧 [email protected]
April 2, 2026 at 1:00 PM
Our Helpline is now closed for Easter and will re-open at 10am on Tuesday 7th April.
If you need support send us a message or email us and one of the team will get back to you when we re-open on Tuesday.
📧 [email protected]
If you need support send us a message or email us and one of the team will get back to you when we re-open on Tuesday.
📧 [email protected]
Needing a food bank isn’t just a money problem. It’s job changes, health issues, and so much more.
Our latest report shows how often people are reaching out when they simply can't stretch things anymore.
It raises bigger questions about what support looks like before things reach crisis point.
Our latest report shows how often people are reaching out when they simply can't stretch things anymore.
It raises bigger questions about what support looks like before things reach crisis point.
March 31, 2026 at 5:30 PM
Needing a food bank isn’t just a money problem. It’s job changes, health issues, and so much more.
Our latest report shows how often people are reaching out when they simply can't stretch things anymore.
It raises bigger questions about what support looks like before things reach crisis point.
Our latest report shows how often people are reaching out when they simply can't stretch things anymore.
It raises bigger questions about what support looks like before things reach crisis point.
New child poverty figures for the #NorthEast are devastating, even if not surprising.
Removing the #twochildlimit was long overdue, but these levels of poverty show how far there is to go.
We see this every day: impossible budgets, constant pressure, and too little to get by.
Removing the #twochildlimit was long overdue, but these levels of poverty show how far there is to go.
We see this every day: impossible budgets, constant pressure, and too little to get by.
🚸 New data published by the Department for Work and Pensions today shows that almost 1️⃣ in 3️⃣ (30%) babies, children and young people across the North East were growing up in poverty in 2024/25.
March 31, 2026 at 10:42 AM
New child poverty figures for the #NorthEast are devastating, even if not surprising.
Removing the #twochildlimit was long overdue, but these levels of poverty show how far there is to go.
We see this every day: impossible budgets, constant pressure, and too little to get by.
Removing the #twochildlimit was long overdue, but these levels of poverty show how far there is to go.
We see this every day: impossible budgets, constant pressure, and too little to get by.
Need support over Easter? Here are a few important dates to be aware of.
If you think you might need support over Easter, please get in touch before midday on Tuesday 31 March, so we can make sure you have what you need.
📞 01434 700068
📧 [email protected]
If you think you might need support over Easter, please get in touch before midday on Tuesday 31 March, so we can make sure you have what you need.
📞 01434 700068
📧 [email protected]
March 29, 2026 at 6:00 PM
Need support over Easter? Here are a few important dates to be aware of.
If you think you might need support over Easter, please get in touch before midday on Tuesday 31 March, so we can make sure you have what you need.
📞 01434 700068
📧 [email protected]
If you think you might need support over Easter, please get in touch before midday on Tuesday 31 March, so we can make sure you have what you need.
📞 01434 700068
📧 [email protected]
People come to us for food support, but those conversations often open up into much more — debt, energy bills, housing, mental health.
Taking the time to listen and understand helps shape how we respond, and how we support people beyond that first conversation.
Taking the time to listen and understand helps shape how we respond, and how we support people beyond that first conversation.
March 26, 2026 at 8:00 AM
People come to us for food support, but those conversations often open up into much more — debt, energy bills, housing, mental health.
Taking the time to listen and understand helps shape how we respond, and how we support people beyond that first conversation.
Taking the time to listen and understand helps shape how we respond, and how we support people beyond that first conversation.
Thousands of calls came through our helpline this year — from people facing benefit changes, rising bills, poor health, or reduced hours and lost income. For some, it was the point where things had simply become too difficult to manage alone.
March 24, 2026 at 10:12 AM
Thousands of calls came through our helpline this year — from people facing benefit changes, rising bills, poor health, or reduced hours and lost income. For some, it was the point where things had simply become too difficult to manage alone.