Together
for change

The Trussell Trust 2020-2025 strategy

Our vision is for a UK without the need for food banks.

We say this because it’s not right that anyone cannot afford their own food. That’s why we are working towards a just, compassionate future, where no one should have to use a food bank to get by.

food bank volunteers
Icon of a food parcel

Close to 3 million

food parcels distributed in 2022/23, a 120% increase in five years.

Icon of the UK map

14% of all UK adults

have experienced food insecurity in the 12 months to mid-2022, equating to an estimated 11.3 million people.

90%

of the public think hunger is a problem in the UK.

We stand on the edge of a precipice

Over the last couple of decades, food banks across the UK have provided incredible, practical support to people in poverty. The food banks in our network are extraordinary, and their response to need in their communities is inspiring.  

But that kind of response shouldn’t be needed.  

We stand on the edge of a precipice, with a clear decision to make: either we accept food banks as a ‘new normal’, or we work to create a more dignified, compassionate, and just society where everyone has enough money for the essentials.  

Learn more about our stats
lisa-marie - who has experience of living in poverty

“I lost my job and was in a really bad way, struggling to meet the bills, feed the children, I was often going without food just so they ate. I got into quite a lot of debt and spoke to the food bank and they said they could help me.”

Lisa-Marie, who has experience of living in poverty

Our priorities for the next five years

Our goal is a fairer society where nobody wonders where their next meal is coming from or must rely on the kindness of their community in order to put food on their table. We’ll be doing this in three ways:

changing community hands icon

In Changing Communities, we’ll be working with food banks to reduce the need for their services locally, helping people to access targeted support that addresses the underlying reason for their crisis.

changing policy head icon

In Changing Policy, we’ll be working alongside food banks and partners to provide stronger evidence of the drivers of extreme poverty (or ‘destitution’) and pushing for positive solutions that will help tackle these.

changing minds heart icon

In Changing Minds, we’ll be increasing levels of understanding and empathy amongst the general public, locally and UK-wide, to build a movement that is willing to take action to create a just and compassionate society without the need for food banks.

We want to ensure everyone can afford the essentials in life. We are working towards a compassionate, just society without the need for large-scale emergency food distribution.

Learn more about our goals

Our Values

Our values underpin everything we do. It isn’t right that anyone should experience hunger or poverty, and we know we all have a responsibility to stand alongside people in crisis.

Compassion

This motivates us to stand alongside people in crisis and provide support and care for individuals.

Justice

This drives us to insist that it is not right that somebody should experience hunger or poverty, and take action to change this.

Community

As people, we are all interconnected, and because of this we have a responsibility to support one another.

Dignity

We recognise the value of every individual, prioritising other people’s needs and concerns in the spirit of friendship.

People are at the heart of our mission

From the food banks in our network to the churches and communities across the UK, to the partner organisations who share our vision and people who have, and are experiencing extreme poverty – we know that achieving our goal is a team effort. We simply cannot realise the vision of a future without the need for food banks without working together.

Learn more
female food bank volunteer

You can be part of the change

The issues of poverty and food bank use affect us all, and we can all do something about it. We know that people use food banks because they have no other choice – and it’s in our power to change this, to fix the issues that are driving people to food banks.

Whoever you are and however you want to get involved, there’s a way for you to join us:

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Find out more about our strategy

If you have 3 minutes

watch our video

If you have 10 minutes

read the strategy highlights