Establish a Community Food Bank Hub

Food insecurity across Ambridge's eastern, western, and southern wards has reached a level that demands a visible, accessible, and coordinated council response. Existing provision is fragmented, geographically concentrated, and insufficient to meet the volume of need. Residents in these three wards travel significant distances to access the nearest food bank, a barrier that is insurmountable for those without transport, with mobility limitations, or with caring responsibilities.

Community groups, faith organisations, and social workers operating in these wards have documented a consistent and growing unmet need. Families are going without food not because there is no provision in Ambridge, but because the provision that exists is not reachable.

We call on the Health & Social Care Directorate to facilitate the establishment of a community food hub serving residents across East Ward, West Ward, and South Ward.

The Ambridge Community Needs Report 2025 identified food insecurity as the most frequently cited unmet need among households referred to social services in the three eastern, western, and southern wards. Referral data from the council's welfare team shows a 38% year-on-year increase in food crisis referrals from these wards between 2024 and 2025. The nearest operational food bank is located in Central Ward, a 35-minute journey by public transport — with no direct route from large parts of East Ward. Three council-owned community rooms in the affected area are currently underused and could provide suitable hosting space.