Food Networks and Practical Support
In this section you will find information about the support and schemes that are available for residents of Newport to help with the rising costs of food and where to access practical support. By the end of this section, you will know:
- What support is available
- Who to contact
- Who to speak to for more information
The Trussell Trust - Newport Foodbank
If you need help from our foodbank there are a few simple steps to follow.
The most important step is to get a foodbank voucher.
In order to provide the most appropriate help for the circumstances of your situation we work with local agencies. If they feel you are struggling to put food on the table, they will issue you with a foodbank voucher. The local agency can also provide long term support if needed to help address some of the issues behind the reasons for your crisis. Agencies we work with include: Citizens Advice, housing support officers, children’s centres, health visitors, social services and some local charities.
1. Get in touch with us.
If you email our foodbank we can talk through your situation and put you in touch with a relevant local agency.
2. Arrange a visit to the referral agency.
They will discuss your situation and supply you with a foodbank voucher where appropriate.
3. Bring your foodbank voucher to your nearest foodbank centre.
You can find a list of our local centres and opening times here. When you arrive, we’ll welcome you with a warm drink and our trained volunteers will chat with you about your situation. We’ll also discuss any dietary needs you may have and exchange your foodbank voucher for a parcel of three days of emergency food. We’ll also help to support you in any other ways that we can. Most of our foodbank centres offer a cafe style environment and our aim is to provide non-judgemental support at the point of crisis.
Food Cycle Newport
Provides a free hot meal to those in need.
Tuesdays 6:30pm Community House, 2 Eton Road, NP19 0BL
Email: newport@foodcycle.org.uk
Wednesday Warm
Wednesday Warm still runs at The Christchurch Centre Newport. It takes place every Wednesday from 3:30 PM to 6:00 PM. The event offers free, healthy hot meals along with a welcoming atmosphere for all. Children’s crafts and play areas are also available. Provides a free hot meal to those in need
Lonely? Struggling to feed yourself or your family? Join us on a Wednesday afternoon from 3:30pm-6pm for some food, conversation and friendship. Whether you’re a family, single, whatever your age, you’re welcome! If you’re nervous about coming along, please get in touch with the office on 01633 822211 or by emailing office@christchurchnewport.co.uk and we can arrange for someone to get in touch with you.
Telephone – 01633 822211
Email – office@christchurchnewport.co.uk
Web Page – https://christchurchnewport.co.uk/
Families First
Families First is a Welsh Government programme designed to improve outcomes for children, young people and families. It emphasises prevention and early intervention for families particularly those living in poverty.
Webpage: www.newport.gov.uk/en/Care-Support/Children-and-families/Families-First/Families-First.aspx
Health and Wellbeing Support at the Neighbourhood Hubs
Drop-in sessions for people looking for advice about returning to work, finding a better job or increasing their skills are available at Newport’s neighbourhood hubs.
Webpage: www.newport.gov.uk/en/About-Newport/Neighbourhood-Hubs/Neighbourhood-Hubs.aspx
Recycled Furniture
Raven House Trust
At Raven House Trust, we transform your donations into direct assistance for those in need.
Every piece of pre-loved furniture you donate or purchase helps us to provide essential food packages and furniture to local families facing difficulties.
Wastesavers
We aim create a sustainable future where waste reduction, reuse and repair is commonplace, and what cannot be reduced, reused or repaired, is recycled by methods that retain the value of the material.
Reuse is the practice of utilising an item or material again, often for the same or similar purpose, to extend its lifespan and reduce the need for new production or consumption, which is good for the environment.
Re:Make Newport
Re:make Newport is a community repair and reuse space. Located on Skinner Street in Newport’s city centre they are a volunteer led community space committed to bringing you free repairs and low-cost loans of household items.
We hold repair sessions 10am-1pm everyday Tuesday – Saturday.
Our ‘Benthyg’ library of things is open all day until 4pm and is filled with new and donated items. Browse our ever-growing catalogue and join as a free member here.
Address: 26 Skinner Street, NP20 1HB
Phone: 01633 846806
Email: hello@remakenewport.org
National Databank
Low-income families can stay connected with free mobile data from the National Databank. To keep families connected, we created the National Databank with our founding partners, Virgin Media O2. The National Databank is like a foodbank but provides free mobile data, texts and calls for people who need it.
Parents can access 20GB of free data per month for six months, along with texts and calls, which is enough for around 220 hours of internet browsing per month, at nearly 1,300 National Databank Hubs nationwide.
For more information, please follow this link to the GAVO website:
Warm Hubs (sometimes called Warm Banks, Cosy Corners, or Warm Spaces) are safe, heated venues in your local area where people can gather during colder months. With rising energy costs, these hubs provide a vital alternative for those who may struggle to heat their homes—especially older adults, vulnerable individuals, and those working from home.
Arts & crafts
Advice and support
Food and refreshments
Social activities
Ongoing Support
Newport City Council do offer various drop in surgeries to chat with the Cost of Living Teams about your specific situation and how they can best support you. Please have a look at their Facebook page, that is regularly updated with information on these sessions.
Facebook: Newport City Council
Alternatively you can make an appointment with one of their team via this email address: costofliving@newport.gov.uk
