There are an increasing number of food banks in the City of Edinburgh.

How do we work together to provide coordinated support for their users?

The approach of the Edinburgh Food and Health Task Group will be discussed.

Tracy McGillivrayFood and Health Task group

Setting the scene

• The task group is a partnership between NHS Lothian, City of Edinburgh council and Voluntary Sector colleagues

• The food banks within the city are run by health projects, churches, social franchises and charities

• Only one is currently financially supported by council.

What have we been doing?

• Scoping exercise to identify current provision

• Initial meeting with major players• Blue sky thinking• Main issues

– Opportunity to network – Linking with support services

Outcomes

• Network event organised• Focus on bringing together food

banks and support services• Workers on the ground invited• Different models of working were

discussed.• Opportunity for front line staff to

state the issues, increase knowledge from others, shape NHS and council support.

Benefits of the day

• Better links between support services and food banks are needed

• Enthusiasm to work together• A willingness to share practice• Voluntary, public sector and

religious groups looking to link together

Next steps• Realistic expectations of volunteers

• A successful funding bid to the Emergency Food Fund to set up Citizen Advice worker in a food bank.

• Looking at linking credit unions with foodbanks

• We are working with the council to link all areas of work in food banks together.