We have devastatingly been served an eviction notice by Care Dorset, a Dorset Council owned subsidiary company. This eviction poses a severe threat to the critical services provided to thousands of vulnerable individuals and families in our community. Please sign our petition here to show how much this vital service matters, and force them to overturn the decision
The eviction notice has left us in a state of uncertainty and urgency. Without immediate intervention, the food bank will be forced to cease operations, leaving countless individuals without access to essential food supplies.
We are appalled at the decision of Care Dorset, and of the actions of Dorset Council, and despite us trying to engage and offer solutions, they have so far refused to engage with us.
Ferndown Community Support and it’s Food Bank hub has been a cornerstone of the community, providing nutritious meals to those experiencing food insecurity for hundreds each week. Since our beginnings 2 years ago, we have distributed the equivalent of just shy of 300,000 meals. Through partnerships with local businesses, volunteers, and generous donors, the food bank has distributed thousands of pounds of food annually, making a tangible difference in the lives of our neighbours in need. Not only that, but we have a pet, hygiene, baby and data bank, the UK’s first and only medicine bank, a benefits and welfare advice service, we run a once-a-month community café and stay and play for free, run school holiday cooking clubs for free, and make soups and ready meals for our clients, and run community celebration events from this site in central Ferndown. We support those in poverty, homeless individuals, families, NHS and care workers, council workers, carers and the elderly to name but a few. We are obviously devastated, and utterly shocked.
Ferndown Community Support is based in Ferndown Day Centre, in the centre of town. The Day Centre cares for adults with dementia and Alzheimer’s, and Ferndown Community Support were offered the redundant kitchen space after they ceased to provide meals due to financial pressures making the provision unviable. The Day Centre also has 2 other kitchen spaces in that building.
Care Dorset and Dorset Council state they want the space back to provide cooked meals at lunchtime. We have offered to provide those meals for them, and suggested they use an outside catering company. Both options would be considerably more cost effective than opening up the kitchen (which we estimate will cost in the region of £60000 per year to operate), and importantly would also allow us to stay too.”
Ferndown Community Support CIC urgently appeals to the community, local authorities, and stakeholders to come together to find a solution that will allow the food bank to continue its operations uninterrupted. Please sign our petition to Care Dorset and Dorset Council, share this devastating news, and speak to your local and county election candidates to ensure they promise to ensure our safety.
Now, more than ever, solidarity and compassion are needed to ensure that no one in our community goes hungry. FCS remains committed to its mission of alleviating hunger and food insecurity, but it requires the support of the entire community to overcome this crisis. We will continue to provide the support from our current site for as long as physically possible.
For media inquiries or to offer support, please contact info@ferndowncommunitysupport.org.uk , or 01202 936121.
Together, we can make a difference and ensure that no one is left behind in our community. Sign our petition here Thank you so much
Ferndown Community Support CIC 