Food banks, food larders and local support

If you are in need of support with food at this time please visit Hampshire County Council web pages for contact details for your nearest source of support

Food larders

The Food Larder is a community larder run by volunteers for the benefit of their local community. It is a membership scheme aimed at helping people make their money go further by reducing food shopping bills.

A bag will be prepared in advance, and the Food Larder aims to offer a variety of products which can top up cupboards and fridges. It is estimated that the "bag" will hold an average of £10-£15 worth of products (dependent on household size), and can include some of these items: pasta, rice, coffee, tea bags, tinned meats, tinned fish, tinned desserts, soups, as well as fresh food.

The cost depends on the size of your household:

• single person - £2.50 per week
• 2 to 3 person household - £3.50 per week
• 4 person household - £5 per week

The Food Larder van is in regular locations, at the same day and time each week, see below for details, and you can turn up and join.  You will need to fill in an application form and bring proof of your ID.

Food larder times and locations

Ashley

• Ashley Baptist Church, New Milton, BH25 5AA
• Tuesday
• 9.30am to 10.30am

New Milton    

• Nedderman Centre, Marryatt Road, New Milton, BH25 5NY    
• Wednesday 
• 9.30am to 10.30am 

Totton    

• Testwood Baptist Church, 283a Salisbury Road, Totton SO40 3LZ    
• Wednesday  
• 9.30am to 11.30am  

Blackfield    

• Queen Elizabeth Recreation Centre, Thornbury Avenue, Blackfield, SO45 1YP 
• Thursday    
• 9.30am to 10.30am

Calshot    

• St Georges Hall, 11 Tristan Close, SO45 1BN
• Thursday 
• 12.30pm to 1.30pm

Pennington    

• St Marks Community Hall, The Square, Pennington, SO41 8QN  
• Thursday
• 1pm to 2pm (Hub open from 12pm for tea/coffee)

Ringwood

• Ringwood Leisure Centre, Ringwood, BH24 1PX  
• Friday    
• 1.30pm to 2.30pm    

Fordingbridge    

• Avonway Community Centre, 36 Shaftesbury Street, Fordingbridge, SP6 1JF    
• Friday
• 1.30pm to 2.30pm    

Bransgore    

• Parish Church of St Mary The Virgin, Bransgore BH23 8JH    
• Friday
• 9.30am to 10.30am

Food and basics banks

New Forest Basics Bank

Issues emergency parcels of food, toiletries and household cleaning products for those in need but who do not have the financial resources to buy these items.   There is also a limited supply of free 6 month UK SIM cards.

Opening times are 9am to 3pm, Monday to Friday (excluding bank holidays).

You can contact New Forest Basics Bank on 01590 610 008 or by email admin@basicsbank.org.uk

www.basicsbank.org.uk

Ringwood Foodbank

Emergency food boxes for those who live in Ringwood, Fordingbridge or Verwood with no financial resources to buy food.

You can contact Ringwood Foodbank on 01425 600134 or by email at info@ringwood.foodbank.org.uk
ringwood.foodbank.org.uk/ 

Waterside Foodbank

Emergency food boxes for those who live in Waterside with no financial resources to buy food.

You can contact Waterside Foodbank on 07768 713329.
www.waterside.foodbank.org.uk

Totton Foodbank (Basics Bank)

Emergency food boxes for those who live in Totton with no financial resources to buy food.

You can contact Totton Foodbank by email info@youthandfamiliesmatter.org.uk
www.youthandfamiliesmatter.org.uk

Community hubs

You can access additional cost of living support at five community hubs, located in Calshot, New Milton, Totton, Pennington, and Fordingbridge. 

At the community hubs, residents can meet with officers from our benefits and housing teams, as well as Citizens Advice New Forest, who can provide cost of living advice and signpost to the local and national support that is available.

There are other local groups that also attend to provide support, including Step Up Safe Space (who have donated items for collection) and Social Prescribers.

The community hubs take place at the same time and location as five existing FareShare food larders in the district, which is a membership scheme offering food essentials for a reduced fee.

You can visit the following community hubs and food larders:

• New Milton, Nedderman Centre, Wednesdays from 9:30am to 10:30am
• Totton, Testwood Baptist Church, Wednesdays from 9:30am to 11:30am
• Calshot, St George's Hall, Thursdays from 12:30pm to 1:30pm
• Pennington, St Mark's Community Hall, Thursdays from 1pm to 2pm (Community hub from 12pm to 1pm)
• Fordingbridge, Avonway Community Centre, Fridays from 11.30am to 1pm on the last Friday of the month

Other support

Citizens Advice New Forest

Trained advisers to help people with benefits, employment, housing, debt and relationship issues.
Referrals to all foodbanks and fuel poverty scheme.
0808 278 7860
www.newforestcab.org.uk

New Forest Disability

Free, confidential disability related advice, inc welfare benefits, equipment, Blue Badges etc
01425 628750
www.newforestdis.org.uk
info@newforestdis.org.uk

Macmillan Cancer Support

Advice on benefits and non-health matters for people affected by cancer.

0344 847 7727
https://www.macmillan.org.uk/get-involved/campaigns/get-support

Age Concern New Forest

Age Concern New Forest provide services for our local people 55 and over. Information and Advice Office, Footcare Clinics, Lunch Clubs, Computers At Home.
02380 841199
www.ageconcernnewforest.org.uk

Waterside Good Neighbours and Befriending Service

02380 843676

CAP Debt Help

Free specialist debt help services to provide a solution to your debts and support you to become debt free.
0800 328 0006

CAP Life Skills

Meet with others and learn practical money saving techniques to make the most of your income.For Job Club and Life Skills

07486 375299

www.capuk.org

The Crossings

A local charity set up to support people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness across the Waterside area. Whether you just need a place to come and talk about your situation or you are keen to take steps toward a more stable, hopeful future,

07486 551272
www.thecrossings.org.uk
info@thecrossings.org.uk