Being part of The Trussell Trust Foodbank Network means the chance to attend our foodbank conference every year. It’s always a great day as foodbanks come together to be inspired, learn from and encourage one another, with this year’s conference including a keynote speech from Martin Lewis. Here’s what happened…
Excitement was in the air of the Bethel Convention centre in West Bromwich on Wednesday morning as over 400 foodbank delegates arrived ready for an inspiring and encouraging day ahead.
Excited to be at the @TrussellTrust #FBN2016 #conference looking forward to #networking & meeting other #foodbanks pic.twitter.com/SxQEiiPrhW
— Norwich Foodbank (@norwichfoodbank) May 18, 2016
At the Foodbank national conference waiting for the day to start @TrussellTrust #fbn2016 pic.twitter.com/O9yQY7UmFV
— Cirencester Foodbank (@CirenFoodbank) May 18, 2016
They were welcomed by Trussell Trust Chairman, Chris Mould who began by commending foodbanks on their vital work in their communities. He reminded them that they are part of an important movement and that compassion lies at the heart of all that we do.
"It's about so much #morethanfood, it's about compassion" – @chrismould #FBN2016
— The Trussell Trust (@TrussellTrust) May 18, 2016
Just arrived at the @TrussellTrust annual conference. Already exciting- hearing about the impact and context of our work across our nation.
— StroudDistrictFB (@SD_foodbank) May 18, 2016
Foodbank Network Director Adrian Curtis then gave us an update and overview of the last year.
#Foodbanks reflecting on their busiest year so far. #OneMillionTooMany #FBN2016 pic.twitter.com/j87JvJgLEr
— The Trussell Trust (@TrussellTrust) May 18, 2016
Over 10,000 tonnes of food donated last year thanks to generous communities #fbn2016
— The Trussell Trust (@TrussellTrust) May 18, 2016
Encouraging to be at National @TrussellTrust Foodbank Network conference and @aidycurtis re-envisioning us #FBN2016 pic.twitter.com/lmhK9buZqK
— North Bristol & South Glos Foodbank (@nbsgfoodbank) May 18, 2016
#fbn2016 @sparkhillfood 4th year at conference. Amazing to see the growth of @trusselltrust and its impact on millions of people
— Gareth Duffield (@GareeD) May 18, 2016
"The reason we do what we do is for people in crisis, unable to put food on the table in 2016" – @aidycurtis #FBN2016
— The Trussell Trust (@TrussellTrust) May 18, 2016
With @TrussellTrust Scotland family at #FBN2016 hearing from @aidycurtis hearing about positive work across the UK pic.twitter.com/BxIn0Ucde4
— Ewan Gurr (@EwanGurr) May 18, 2016
"40,000 people give their time to help people in communities, volunteers are the heart of what we do" – @aidycurtis #FBN2016
— The Trussell Trust (@TrussellTrust) May 18, 2016
Listening to @aidycurtis giving this years network update @TrussellTrust #FBN2016 pic.twitter.com/Wqc6M6TAE4
— Clay Cross FoodBank (@ClayXfoodbank) May 18, 2016
"Every food parcel is hope, you are making a difference and helping to transform lives " @aidycurtis #fbn2016
— The Trussell Trust (@TrussellTrust) May 18, 2016
It was then time for the morning seminars, which covered a range of topics, including sharing innovative social enterprise activities, hearing ideas of how small foodbanks can make a big impact, exploring political engagement and hearing more about the data collection system.
"Social enterprises help to give people a pathway to independence & raise funds" – @wdmansell @SD_foodbank #fbn2016
— The Trussell Trust (@TrussellTrust) May 18, 2016
'The size of a #foodbank, big or small, doesn't matter – what matters is each person you are able to make a difference to' #FBN2016
— The Trussell Trust (@TrussellTrust) May 18, 2016
Political & Local Authorities engagement session @TrussellTrust & @MonCFHolyhead #FoodBanks #partnership #YnysMon pic.twitter.com/g1EIzVsZlL
— Carl Owen (@CarlOwen09) May 18, 2016
Breakout session @ #FBN2016 as small #foodbanks share ideas & experience on making a big impact in local communities pic.twitter.com/E5pukZFKt5
— The Trussell Trust (@TrussellTrust) May 18, 2016
Charity shops, workshops recycling items, car boot sales, community cafes – the range of #socialenterprise projects #foodbanks run #FBN2016
— The Trussell Trust (@TrussellTrust) May 18, 2016
It was great to see a range of exhibitors in the foyer sharing information throughout the day, including: Christians Against Poverty, Turn2us, Charis Grants, PayPlan, Community Money Advice, Zurich Insurance, Rotary International in Great Britain and Shelter.
Fab to see organisations like @turn2us_org & @CharisGrants at #FBN2016, supporting our work to #StopUKHunger pic.twitter.com/6DxHls7pK9
— The Trussell Trust (@TrussellTrust) May 18, 2016
CMA at Trussell Trust conference #FBN2016 pic.twitter.com/wz4TEneRto
— Stephen Bolton (@StephenBolton13) May 18, 2016
Great to be here @TrussellTrust national conference #FBN2016 we will be here @CAPuk stand come and chat #onemilliontoomany
— Nick Smith (@KingSmudger) May 18, 2016
Are you at @TrussellTrust Foodbank Conference? Pop by our stand and say hello! #FBN2016. pic.twitter.com/Yzzz7Q4cT7
— Turn2us – Tackling Financial Insecurity Together (@turn2us_org) May 18, 2016
@TrussellTrust – #FBN2016 great to be with friends at #FoodBankConference pic.twitter.com/Sthy4Ke3iM
— mukesh malhotra (@mukesh_malhotra) May 18, 2016
PayPlans @Jane_Payplan is attending the @TrussellTrust Foodbank conference today. #FBN2016
— PayPlan (@PayPlan) May 18, 2016
After a quick coffee break if was the part of the day that everyone was most looking forward to – the keynote speech from Martin Lewis!
#Foodbanks able to provide money & debt advice thanks to generous support from @martinslewis #MoreThanFood #FBN2016
— The Trussell Trust (@TrussellTrust) May 18, 2016
@TrussellTrust – #FBN2016
– @MartinSLewis great to have his strong support for the #MoreThanFood programme pic.twitter.com/NwEszMpsc3— Mukesh Malhotra BEM BCAv (@exCllr_Mukesh) May 18, 2016
"We want people to go to #foodbanks as little as possible & hope we can intervene while they're there"- @MartinSLewis #morethanfood #fbn2016
— The Trussell Trust (@TrussellTrust) May 18, 2016
#FBN2016 Martin Lewis @ Foodbank Conference. Wow! what passion & actions backing words. Super encouraged by this man pic.twitter.com/vIOGjVqGQG
— Clare (@clarebedford) May 18, 2016
Martin Lewis articulating the link between mental health problems and unaffordable debt @TrussellTrust #foodbank conference #FBN2016
— Chris Mould (@ChrisMould) May 18, 2016
#Foodbanks enjoying an engaging talk from @MartinSLewis at #FBN2016 #gooddebtbaddebt #morethanfood pic.twitter.com/pHLZ8TSZlZ
— The Trussell Trust (@TrussellTrust) May 18, 2016
"Prevention, help, getting people back on track, that's what we want to do" – @MartinSLewis #morethanfood #FBN2016
— The Trussell Trust (@TrussellTrust) May 18, 2016
Listening to @MartinSLewis talking to #foodbanks at @trusselltrust conference #fbn2016 #onemilliontoomany pic.twitter.com/4YTeMqKc8X
— Adrian Curtis (@aidycurtis) May 18, 2016
"We have a real problem with our language of dividing people into strivers and skivers, so many myths around this" @MartinSLewis #fbn2016
— The Trussell Trust (@TrussellTrust) May 18, 2016
Great to have @MartinSLewis sharing at #FBN2016. Inspired! @TrussellTrust pic.twitter.com/0TB7ATEfzi
— North Bristol & South Glos Foodbank (@nbsgfoodbank) May 18, 2016
"#Foodbanks, you do the real work, thank you" – @MartinSLewis #FBN2016
— The Trussell Trust (@TrussellTrust) May 18, 2016
Thank you to Martin Lewis for coming along and giving an interesting talk that left us all feeling inspired and encouraged! Conversations over the excitement of Martin Lewis’ speech continued over lunch, as delegates prepared themselves for the afternoon seminars.
Conversations & engagement continuing through the lunch break . @TrussellTrust #FBN2016 #OneMillionTooMany
— Leeds N & W foodbank (@NW_leedsfood) May 18, 2016
Feeling refreshed, the afternoon seminars included an update on the More Than Food projects, ways to find funds for foodbanks, information on governance and best practices for managing people.
"#Poverty is complex" – Bev Anderson #MoreThanFood #FBN2016 pic.twitter.com/JQF25pImmn
— The Trussell Trust (@TrussellTrust) May 18, 2016
Busy room full of #foodbanks listening for tips on fundraising so they can continue vital work to #StopUKHunger #FBN2016 #OneMillionTooMany
— The Trussell Trust (@TrussellTrust) May 18, 2016
Continuous engagement and encouragement always the key for both employees & volunteers. @TrussellTrust #FBN2016 #foodbanks
— Leeds N & W foodbank (@NW_leedsfood) May 18, 2016
Amazing to hear about @TrussellTrust #morethanfood projects our foodbanks are involved in #FBN2016 getting behind the causes of food poverty
— Tony Graham (@tgraham1421) May 18, 2016
"We do what we can, when we can, where we can" #MoreThanFood #FBN2016
— The Trussell Trust (@TrussellTrust) May 18, 2016
68 #foodbanks trained to run #EatWellSpendLess our basic cookery & budgeting course #FBN2016 #MoreThanFood
— The Trussell Trust (@TrussellTrust) May 18, 2016
More Than Food, @TrussellTrust programme that gets at the roots of poverty expanding fast. Great news #FBN2016 pic.twitter.com/HG8RUwTFCz
— Chris Mould (@ChrisMould) May 18, 2016
Skills & pro bono advice; food & non-food donations like toiletries; events; volunteering: all ways corporates can help #foodbanks #FBN2016
— The Trussell Trust (@TrussellTrust) May 18, 2016
236 people supported by #holidaymeals pilot in 5 #foodbanks during Easter. #MoreThanFood #FBN2016
— The Trussell Trust (@TrussellTrust) May 18, 2016
Managing people, ideas for consideration. #volunteers/employees @TrussellTrust #FBN2016 pic.twitter.com/GAtjpPN9bu
— Leeds N & W foodbank (@NW_leedsfood) May 18, 2016
"If people are struggling with food & finances, they're probably struggling with fuel too." #fuelpoverty #EnergyBank #MoreThanFood #FBN2016
— The Trussell Trust (@TrussellTrust) May 18, 2016
Really interesting to hear more about plans for the new Energy Bank project #FBN2016
— Clay Cross FoodBank (@ClayXfoodbank) May 18, 2016
'Establishing good relationships with local press has been a powerful fundraising tool': @foodbankcambs on #foodbanks & local media #FBN2016
— The Trussell Trust (@TrussellTrust) May 18, 2016
Rush for info leaflets on More Than Food Programme. No standing still with @TrussellTrust #foodbanks #FBN2016 pic.twitter.com/P7PbPtLWb0
— Chris Mould (@ChrisMould) May 18, 2016
Sadly the Foodbank Network Conference was drawing to a close and it was time for the last session of the day, a Q&A with The Trussell Trust panel.
"Regional hubs will allow us to have a stronger presence across the UK" – @aidycurtis #FBN2016
— The Trussell Trust (@TrussellTrust) May 18, 2016
"#Foodbanks are part of the community working together with other partnerships" – @AnneSusanD #FBN2016
— The Trussell Trust (@TrussellTrust) May 18, 2016
"We are here to care for those that are most vulnerable in society" – @tgraham1421 #FBN2016
— The Trussell Trust (@TrussellTrust) May 18, 2016
Thrilled to hear that many #Foodbanks love the new website! @ReasonDigital #FBN2016 pic.twitter.com/6j9fIXiLbD
— The Trussell Trust (@TrussellTrust) May 18, 2016
And it’s all over for another year! It’s always great to meet wonderful foodbank staff and volunteers who give up their time to help make a difference and tackle poverty in their communities.
Great #FBN2016 – full of information and advice to help us help others. @TrussellTrust #Hope #OneMillionTooMany
— King’s Lynn Foodbank (@klfoodbank) May 18, 2016
Been a great day, informative and inspiring. Well done to everyone involved. @TrussellTrust #FBN2016
— Leeds N & W foodbank (@NW_leedsfood) May 18, 2016
It was an inspiring day, thank you to all the foodbanks that came along and shared experiences by delivering seminars. We hope to see you all next year!
