About Westbury Area Network
Serving Westbury and Surrounding Villages
Developed out of the local needs identified during the Covid 19 pandemic in 2020, Westbury Area Network (WAN) was formally established as a charity (Reg 1194748) in 2021 to serve Westbury and nearby villages. During the pandemic. Here you can learn more about who we are and what we do.
WHAT WE DO / WHO WE SUPPORT
The principal service offered by WAN is the provision of emergency food parcels to those local people who are demonstrably in need.
Anyone in need can be referred to WAN through a number of referring organisations – link to list of referring organisations. Those who access our service will have found themselves in difficult circumstances and often through no fault of their own. This could be due to being made redundant or being unable to work through severe illness.
Other circumstances could include marriage or partnership breakdown or being subject to domestic violence.
In addition, the WAN will seek to signpost foodbank beneficiaries to other agencies that would be in a position to advise and help to relieve the individual’s need.
Food parcels are generally collected from our premises.
Food parcels are designed to provide a minimum of three days food for the family, couple or individual that is to benefit. Pick lists are used to ensure that the parcel offers a reasonably balanced diet. Parcels also include toiletries and cleaning materials.
Food is sourced from local supermarkets, church, school, business and individual donations.
This is done by individual approaches and by the use of social media and local press. The food is secured by collecting donations from supermarkets and other donations are delivered to WAN’s premises.
How Can You Help?
You Can Start Right Now
Donating Goods
Every Little Bit Counts
Food and toiletry items can be delivered directly to the food bank during our opening hours. Businesses, schools etc who collect on our behalf periodically can contact us at our premises and we can agree when their donation can be delivered or we can arrange to make a collection.
Likewise, if you would like to consider making a donation in the future, please contact us so we can offer any advice of what items we may be short of at that time. We would also ask that you kindly check that any donations you make are in date. This will save any unnecessary wastage.
Financial Donations
Do Good Together
As important as donations of goods is to us, we value highly financial giving. This is because we have costs such as premises rent, utility and stationary costs etc as well as purchasing specific goods that we are short of from time to time.
For these reasons, we need to seek financial donations to keep our operation running smoothly.
If you feel that you would be willing to donate a sum, either as a one off or on a regular basis, there are a number of ways that you can do so which are set out below:
Donations of cash or cheques
Cheques, made out to Westbury Area Network, can be sent by post, or hand delivered, to our address as follows:
Westbury Area Network, c/o Westbury Community Project, Eden Vale Road, Westbury, BA13 3NY.
Any cash donations can be made in person, please do not send in the post, to the above address or to the Westbury Town Council office at the Laverton.
Volunteer Opportunities
If you would like to help us in providing our services and have some time that you can spare, we would love to hear from you.
Most of our needs revolve around the collection of donations and getting them to our premises, checking that all donations are in date and marking them so as to be easier to see, and then picking and packing food parcels ready for collection.
As we develop, we will aim to train our volunteers to talk with people needing our food parcel service so that we direct them to other agencies that may be able to address their needs. If you are interested, please get in touch via the contact section. We will send you an application form and you will then have a discussion with one of our Trustees. Training will be provided to enable you to undertake the role safely and with confidence.
Please note: Volunteers are not permitted to be beneficiaries themselves to the service.
There are many ways for you to contribute to our charitable endeavours, one of which is to get involved with some of our important causes. Believe us when we say that every little bit of help is appreciated and counts, especially for those in need. Read on to learn more about what we do and how you can lend your support.
Referring Organisations
Below is a list of bodies and organisations that have the facility to refer people in need to WAN. This list will be regularly reviewed and amended as needed. If you call or e-mail us, we can talk through your situation and put you in touch with a relevant local agency.
Crosspoint
Wiltshire Council - Wellbeing Hub, Social Services, Local Area COORDINATOR
white horse medical centre
citizens advice
family support workers
local churches
selwood housing
town and parish council
department for work and pensions
the richmond fellowship
people agaignst poverty
Opening Hours
Westbury Area Network, c/o Westbury Community Project, Eden Vale Road, Westbury, BA13 3NY
Mon & Thurs: 10am - 12pm
Sat: Closed
Sun: Closed
Contact Us
Get in touch with Westbury Area Network to discover more about our work and how to access services or donate. We thank you for your support.
Mobile: 07780072619
"Great things are done by a series of small things brought together"