Behind every decision that shapes our work is a group of trustees who give their time, experience and judgement to guide North Bristol & South Glos Foodbank. They help make sure we stay focused on our mission, use our resources responsibly, and keep asking the hard questions about how we support people facing hunger locally. In this series, we’re introducing you to the people behind that role. Each trustee brings their own story, perspective and reasons for getting involved, but they share the same commitment: that nobody in our community should have to face hunger alone.
In this third post in the series, we meet Sally, an engineer and communications leader whose career spans decades in pharmaceutical manufacturing at AstraZeneca and ICI, before turning in a new direction: towards theology, education, and community-centred work.
Hello, I am Sally and I became a trustee for NBSG Foodbank in 2021. Before becoming a trustee I had volunteered at the Southmead Outlet at Greenway over a number of years, and meeting clients opened my eyes to the fact that many of us could find ourselves in a similar position of needing emergency food due to unexpected ill health, relationship breakdown, family situations or job loss. Our benefits system is simply not adequate or responsive enough to ensure people don't fall into poverty if they experience a change in circumstance, whether over a short or long period. Although I wish we didn't need to exist as a charity, I am very proud to be a small part of something that can be there for people who are facing one of the worst things that can be imagined: not being able to afford the next meal for themselves and their family.
As a trustee, I work with the trustee team and foodbank staff to make sure everything we do supports the charity's aim to relieve and prevent poverty in the North Bristol and South Gloucestershire area, for the public benefit, by working with a network of care professionals to provide food parcels, items and related services. My role in the team is to ensure that we have the right staff in place to fulfil this aim, and it has been my pleasure to help recruit the absolutely brilliant team that we have at NBSG.
I am delighted that over the past few years the team has expanded so that we can now offer fresh food alongside ambient food and provide access to advice and support at all our outlets. Plus, we have an exciting new food club offering wraparound support to help people transition into independence.
I am really grateful to everyone who supports our charity. Together we can continue to make a positive impact in reducing local hunger.
