About Swindon Food Collective

We are an independent food bank in Swindon.  

Welcome to Swindon Food Collective

Welcome to Swindon Food Collective. Your local food bank. 

We are an independent charity that aims to help people in Swindon, or the surrounding area who are suffering from financial hardship and finding it difficult to provide food for themselves, their family or dependants. We are here to help.

Memorandum and articles

What we do

We are an independent food bank in Swindon and currently feed nearly 10,000 people per year, one third of these are children.

We receive donations of non-perishable, tinned or dried food and toiletries from churches, schools, local companies, community groups, supermarkets and individuals. 

From these donations, food boxes are prepared for individuals, couples and families. We work with a large number of approved organisations, schools, doctors and social workers who can refer people in crisis to us. We provide food, a friendly chat and try to signpost people for further help. We have 11 distribution centres around Swindon and surrounding areas (with another one opening in Autumn 2023) where food can be collected.

Our Trustees

Meet the Swindon Food Collective Trustees

Sally Austen

Co-chair

Sally joined Swindon Food Collective in 2021 as a volunteer. She was a project manager for over 25 years in a variety of organisations in both the public and private sectors, and has volunteered in the community since 2013. Sally was co-opted to the Board in May 2022.

David Cryer

Co-chair

David has held various leadership roles in a range of organisations. As an executive with Marks & Spencer, he created the Simply Foods chain of shops. In charity retailing, He developed a network of shops locally for Helen & Douglas House, and nationally for Shelter. David has also been a visiting lecturer in retail at Surrey University. David's voluntary roles have included Chair of Governors for his local school, Chair of the Board of the Charity Retail Association, and a Founding Trustee of Cogges Manor Farm - perhaps better known as Yew Tree Farm on Downton Abbey! - as well as MD of their Trading Company.
Currently, in addition to his role with Swindon Food Collective, he is Vice-Chair of Trustees of Homeless Oxfordshire, and an Independent Board Member for the disability charity Scope. At home, David and his wife run their our own online bookstore, specialising in rare and collectable books.

Debbie Edwards

Trustee

Debbie started volunteering at Swindon Food Collective in 2019 before joining the Trust Board in January 2020.  Debbie is a former Chartered Legal Executive and borough councillor.  Debbie has many years of experience working in the community as a volunteer.  She is also treasurer of a school PTA.  

Claire Akram

Trustee  

Claire joined the Swindon Food Collective in February 2024. She brings her expertise as the UK&I HR Director for a prominent Tech organization, and her commitment to Swindon through her 18 years of residency in the area. Claire is keen to contribute to the community she calls home.

Claire Pearce

Trustee  

Claire joined the Swindon Food Collective as a trustee in October 2024. Claire is a strategic change leader, with experience in the public sector, working on people, process and system changes to improve organisations.

Mollyn Butaumocho

Trustee  


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