This important change means that when people register for the foodbank, the Volunteer Bureau carries out the income and outgoings review themselves making it quicker and more efficient to apply.
For an assessment to receive food parcels simply make an appointment by contacting Eastwood Volunteer Bureau on 01773 535255 or dropping into Wellington Place, Eastwood.
Applicants will need to provide the following information at the interview:
- 3 months of bank statments or be able to show statements on a banking app
- Details of any savings
- A complete list of income and outgoings. (This should include all debts and commitments)
Following the assessment applicants will be told if they are eligible or not to receive food parcels either on a temporary or long-term basis depending upon their personal circumstances.
On a Friday each week volunteers hand out between 30 and 50 food parcels to those registered on the scheme. Clients can choose a pasta, chilli, meat or curry bag. Anyone can apply and emergency food parcels are possible if you drop into foodbank on Fridays, but clients will be asked to make an appointment to register properly.
“There are lots of reasons why people need to use the foodbank, illness, redundancy, low income, unemployment are amongst just a few” said Rachel Laurenson, Manager at the Bureau. “We want to ensure that the foodbank is not being abused and offers a fairer and more robust service for those who need it in North Broxtowe. All information gathered is treated with the utmost confidentiality so we can guarantee we use our funds wisely” she added.
Eastwood Volunteer Bureau is a registered charity celebrating over 40 years of supporting the North Broxtowe community. The organisation began as a Volunteer Bureau in the 1980’s and moved into its current premises in 2002. The Bureau has evolved to offer three vital local services, a foodbank, a befriending scheme and a transport scheme.
Always on the lookout for more volunteers, the Bureau has a busy schedule. The transport scheme carried out over 400 trips in the first 3 months of 2025 and more and more requests are received each week. 10 volunteer drivers and one part time coordinator manage this service which provides low-cost transport for journeys to doctors, hospital, shopping or visiting friends.
The befriending scheme currently has 14 volunteers who visit 18 registered clients. Some have become lifelong friends and visit both male and female clients regularly. Age is not a barrier and both young and the-not-so-young volunteers visit these lonely and vulnerable people making a real difference to their lives.
