Agenda item

To receive presentations from the following local organizations in relation to cost of living and winter preparedness:

·       Crosspoint Westbury

·       Westbury Area Network

The Area Board received presentations from the following local organizations in relation to cost of living and winter preparedness:

Crosspoint Westbury

·       During 2024 the welcome centre had received 850 visits providing face to face contact for various services, which was a 20% increase on the previous year.

·       It was outlined that the complexity of the issues being faced had increased, with people now tending to bring multiple rather than single issues.

·       Detail was provided that in 2024 over 75 people had received counselling with it noted that in January 2025 there had been 20 active counselling clients and a further 23 on the waiting list with an average waiting time of 51 days spread across a wide age demographic.

·       It was noted that each year Crosspoint took on two placement Counsellors from Wiltshire College, with a view to recruiting them at the end.

·       An overview of the organisations in which Crosspoint was referred from and then referred to was provided.

·       Detail was provided on how following an approach by Wiltshire Community Foundation, Crosspoint has been distributing the Household Fund in the Westbury Area with 133 grants totalling £13,923 given out in 2024. The main reasons for grant provision included energy costs, access to food and transport, with the majority given to families with young children or households with a disabled person.

After the update, there was time for the following questions and points to be raised:

·       Gratitude was placed towards Crosspoint with it noted that they were celebrating 14 years of existence in 2025.

·       The positive work of Ruksak was referenced and how they distributed donated goods.

·       Clarity was sought regarding the 850 visitors, to which it was noted that a quarter of these were repeat visitors.

Westbury Area Network

·       An overview of Westbury Area Network was provided, including that it was formed as a charity in 2021 and operated a number of services, including Foodbank, Community Fridge (on behalf of WTC), Abraham’s Kitchen (on behalf of WTC), Warm Parcels and Signposting.

·       Data was provided in relation to food parcel numbers in comparison to previous years with 2024 showing an increase from the past. Specific data was provided in relation to winter distribution with it suggested that the numbers were levelling out.

·       Information was provided about the foodbank with it noted that there had been 106 referrals from April 2024 – January 2025 which had included the distribution of 50 food parcels on Christmas Eve. It was also noted that through funding received form grants and donations, the foodbank was able to print off vouchers to be used in Aldi.

·       Detail was provided on the Community Fridge, with it outlined that this operated alongside the foodbank as a way of reducing food waste and was available to everyone with approximately 300 users per month.

·       An overview of other initiatives provided by the Westbury Area Network was outlined as well as some feedback from a foodbank user.

After the update, there was time for the following questions and points to be raised:

·       The notion of poverty being a cycle was discussed, with it stated that Westbury Area Network worked well in partnership with other organisations, often signposting individuals to other services that they might have.