Author: Charlotte Ludbrook

Feeding Gloucestershire and Healthwatch Gloucestershire awards winter Homelessness Support Fund grants to two local projects

Feeding Gloucestershire, in collaboration with Healthwatch Gloucestershire, is pleased to announce the two successful projects awarded funding through the Homelessness Support Small Grant Fund, supporting community initiatives to help people experiencing homelessness and food insecurity across Gloucestershire this winter.

The £5,000 fund was created to help provide dignified support for individuals who may fall through the gaps of formal systems during the colder months. Following a careful shortlisting process, and with applications exceeding ten times the available funding – reflecting both the scale of need and the commitment of community groups across Gloucestershire – two organisations have been selected for their strong community reach, clear evidence of need and meaningful potential impact.

“This fund reflects our commitment to ensuring that everyone in Gloucestershire has access to nutritious food,” said Joanna Scott, Programme Director at Feeding Gloucestershire. “The quality of applications we received showed just how much dedicated, compassionate work is happening across the county. While we wish we could support more organisations, we are proud to support these two projects which will make a real difference for people experiencing homelessness this winter.”

Lucy White, Healthwatch Gloucestershire Manager, added: “We are delighted to support this fund in partnership with Feeding Gloucestershire. Our recent project to understand people’s experiences of hidden homelessness in Gloucestershire highlighted that homelessness is much more prevalent than official statistics suggest. We therefore recognise the amazing work being done by organisations across our county supporting people experiencing homelessness, not just over winter but all year round. The efforts being made to reduce social stigma and loneliness, provide warm and safe spaces, and overcome food insecurity are vitally important so we are really pleased that this fund is supporting these community initiatives. 

One of the successful recipients is The Marah Trust, who will use the funding to continue running and strengthening its drop-in sessions in Stroud, responding to increasing demand over the Christmas period. Marah supports people on the margins of society who often feel excluded and isolated, including those experiencing homelessness, insecure housing, addiction, mental health challenges and long-term health conditions. As well as providing access to good quality, cooked food to eat on site or take away, Marah offers a welcoming, inclusive space where guests can connect, feel part of a community and access vital support services.

“This funding will allow us to continue meeting people where they are, especially during the winter months when isolation and hardship can feel overwhelming,” said a spokesperson from The Marah Trust. “Our drop-ins provide more than just food – they offer warmth, dignity, connection and hope. For many of our guests, this is the one place they feel safe, welcomed and understood.” 

                                                                         

The second successful project is Community Kitchen Gloucester, who will continue its weekly provision of free, three-course meals for people experiencing extreme hardship and social exclusion, many of whom are homeless or living in temporary accommodation without access to cooking facilities. Based in the centre of Gloucester, in one of the most deprived areas in the UK, the project provides not only nutritious meals but also a sense of dignity, routine and care for its guests.

“This funding will help us continue to offer a consistent, welcoming space over winter, where people can access a hearty, home-cooked meal without judgement,” said a representative from Community Kitchen Gloucester. “For many of our guests, this is more than just food – it’s a moment of normality, kindness, and human connection in what are often incredibly difficult lives.” 

                                                

Together, these projects highlight the role that community organisations play in supporting people through the winter months, ensuring that no one is forgotten or left behind. They demonstrate the impact of community-led responses in addressing both the practical and emotional needs of people experiencing homelessness.

Feeding Gloucestershire will continue to work alongside partners across the county to build a fairer, more resilient food system where everyone can access the food they need to live well.

Feeding Gloucestershire appoints Project Officer and Trustee to support new 3-year strategy

We’re delighted to announce two new positions including Rebecca Hollely, Project Officer who joins the core team and Kelly Osborne who joins as a new member of the board of trustees.

They will bring a broad range of knowledge and expertise to help Feeding Gloucestershire deliver its vision – helping individuals, families and communities thrive and where everyone can afford to eat well and live healthily.

Rebecca Hollely is Feeding Gloucestershire’s new Project Officer, supporting the charity’s mission to build a fairer and more sustainable local food system. She brings experience in communications, events, and engagement to the role, with a background in environmental projects both in the UK and internationally.

“I’m excited to be joining Feeding Gloucestershire. I’m passionate about making sure everyone in Gloucestershire has equal access to affordable and nutritious food, and I’m really looking forward to working with local communities and partners to help build connected, healthy communities across the county.”

Kelly Osborne joins Feeding Gloucestershire’s board. Kelly has a wealth of experience in charity and local authority settings and has a particular passion for tackling food waste.

“I’m delighted to join Feeding Gloucestershire. Every step we take towards ensuring everyone in the county has access to nourishing food is vital for the health of people and planet, and I’m committed to driving real, sustainable change in our food systems.”

Joanna Scott, Programme Director at Feeding Gloucestershire said: “The addition of Rebecca Hollely and Kelly Osborne will be hugely beneficial in helping us deliver our strategy over the coming months and years.”

Feeding Gloucestershire Newsletter Relaunches!

We’re excited to announce the relaunch of the Feeding Gloucestershire Newsletter – a bi-monthly update packed with news, insights, and opportunities from across the county. 

Each issue includes information about food poverty and resilience, healthy diets, food education and connecting communities in Gloucestershire. 

Sign up now to receive our newsletter straight to your inbox.

 

 

Increasing Food Security – Gloucestershire’s Healthy Start Campaign (2025)

Data published by the Food Foundation (March 2025) highlights that 14% of households (an estimated 7.3 million adults) in England were affected by food insecurity in January 2025.

Households with children, single-parent families, those in receipt of Universal Credit or living with a disability continue to be much more likely to experience food insecurity.

Findings from Gloucestershire’s Pupil Wellbeing Survey also highlights an association between food availability and deprivation; with pupils from lower income areas more likely to report not having food in the home that allows them to eat healthily.

The first years of life are critical for children’s growth and development, and it is imperative they receive nutritious food during this time to help them grow healthily.

The Healthy Start scheme acts as a nutritional safety net; helping lower income parents and pregnant women pay for fruit, vegetables, pulses, milk and formula. It is worth:

• £4.25 for each week of pregnancy from 10 weeks,
• £8.50 a week for babies up to one year old,
• £4.25 a week for children up to four years old.

*(benefit uplift from 2026)

Healthy Start beneficiaries can also access free vitamins available to those who are pregnant or breastfeeding, and children under the age of 4.
Cllr Paul Hodgkinson (GCC, Cabinet Member for Public Health, Communities & Fire) said: “The most recent data we have (from June 2024) shows that 66% of eligible families in Gloucestershire are using Healthy Start. We’d like to see that number go above 70%. Too many families are missing out on this important support and with the cost of living still high, that needs to change.”

Joanna Scott, Programme Director, Feeding Gloucestershire, added: “We know that many eligible families aren’t aware that they qualify for this support, so it is clear we need to try and tackle this to ensure Gloucestershire families are receiving the help they are entitled to.”

Feeding Gloucestershire has awarded microgrant funding up to £1000 for each district to purchase Healthy Start communication materials including posters, banners and leaflets to promote the scheme and support targeted communications to families known to be eligible and not currently signed up to the scheme.

Feeding Gloucestershire is also working to establish Healthy Start Champions who can speak with families, advise them on their eligibility, and support families in completing application forms.

At the same time, Feeding Gloucestershire’s website has a new section on Healthy Start which signposts professionals and families to information and training materials to help raise awareness of the scheme and support eligible families to access Healthy Start benefits.

*Restoring the value of the Healthy Start scheme from 2026 to 2027, raising value of payments by just under 10% from £4.25 to £4.65 and double for children under 12 months.