One of Brighton & Hove LGBT Switchboard‘s team members Reuben has launched a new initiative outside of his role at Switchboard. The Village Foodbank is a new initiative for low-income LGBTQ+ people in Brighton & Hove to access food, toiletries and other essentials in an affirming community space.
A recent report by the Trussell Trust found that LGBTQ+ people were less likely to use food banks, despite being more likely than non-LGBTQ+ people to deal with food insecurity. You can read more about LGBTQ+ food access and insecurity here.
Reuben, who has worked in the LGBTQ+ sector for the last 10 years and noticed a clear gap in service provision, said: “In my day job, I often refer clients to existing food banks in the city, but experiences of microaggressions and discrimination seem commonplace.
“LGBTQ+ training for these food banks is a longer-term aim of the Village Food Bank, but ultimately we have community members going without essentials, and supporting those who need us is our primary concern. Coming together to launch a project that aims to reduce this burden and strengthen community connection feels critical.”
The Village Food Bank will be based at a wheelchair accessible room in the Brighthelm Centre, 40 North Road, BN1 1YD. The project is contactable via email on thevillagefoodbank@gmail.com, and you can fill in their food bank referral form here.
