HELP IN THE COMMUNITY
Help in the Community is the charity responsible for Medway Foodbank, which operates as part of the Trussell Trust, a national network whose aim is to end UK food poverty. Clients access the foodbank via a voucher system. Vouchers are issued in over 100 partner agencies across the Medway towns. These are redeemed in one of 9 centres, open over 6 days of the week.
Financial health, per its FY2025 accounts
The accounts state that unrestricted reserves were £343,585 against a policy target of three months' expenses, which the trustees consider maintained. The charity reported a net movement in funds of £14,769 for the year, with total funds carried forward at £472,183. The independent examiner confirmed that no matters gave cause to believe the accounts were materially incorrect.
What the accounts disclose
“It is the aim of the trustee board to ensure the charity's reserves to the point where it has three months expenses in reserve.” — page 6
Funders the charity credits
- Alphatrack Systems
Register events
- Received assets from another charity (24/04/2024)
Trustees
- Alison Clare Westchair
- JAMES MCGLASHAN
- Peter Tottman
- Simon Charles Hart
- Susan Lynn Franks
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 31/03/2025 | £352k | £337k |
| 31/03/2024 | £450k | £318k |
| 31/03/2023 | £354k | £267k |
| 31/03/2022 | £252k | £246k |
| 31/03/2021 | £316k | £163k |
Common questions
Is HELP IN THE COMMUNITY financially healthy?
Per its FY2025 accounts: The accounts state that unrestricted reserves were £343,585 against a policy target of three months' expenses, which the trustees consider maintained. The charity reported a net movement in funds of £14,769 for the year, with total funds carried forward at £472,183. The independent examiner confirmed that no matters gave cause to believe the accounts were materially incorrect. Its FY2025 accounts were independently examined.
Who funds HELP IN THE COMMUNITY?
Funders whose own accounts filings name HELP IN THE COMMUNITY as a grant recipient include CHATHAM MARITIME TRUST, THE COLYER-FERGUSSON CHARITABLE TRUST, THE PHILIP AND CONNIE PHILLIPS FOUNDATION, THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF SOUTH GILLINGHAM, THE WILLIE AND MABEL MORRIS CHARITABLE TRUST.
Known funders
| Funder | Year | Amount | Purpose (as stated by the funder) |
|---|---|---|---|
| CHATHAM MARITIME TRUST | FY2025 | £54k | Support for food parcels and stock |
| THE COLYER-FERGUSSON CHARITABLE TRUST | FY2023 | £40k | |
| THE PHILIP AND CONNIE PHILLIPS FOUNDATION | FY2025 | £3k | Unrestricted |
| CHATHAM MARITIME TRUST | FY2024 | £1k | One-off payment to support foodbank initiative |
| THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF SOUTH GILLINGHAM | FY2025 | £1k | Away Giving |
| THE WILLIE AND MABEL MORRIS CHARITABLE TRUST | FY2025 | £750 | |
| THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF ROCHESTER | FY2024 | £130 | Harvest Festival donation |
| THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF SOUTH GILLINGHAM | FY2024 | £45 | Donations |
| THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF ST NICHOLAS WITH ST MARY, STROOD | FY2023 | £5 | General |
| THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF FRINDSBURY WITH UPNOR & CHATTENDEN | FY2022 | £0 |
Government & lottery funding
| Funder | Date | Amount | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sport England | 17/12/2025 | £13k | Bessaha! Healthy lifestyles |
| The National Lottery Community Fund | 28/11/2025 | £20k | Medway Foodbank - Core Costs: Salaries and Stock |
| The National Lottery Community Fund | 05/09/2024 | £20k | Medway Foodbank - Help in the Community |
| Postcode Lottery | 02/11/2023 | £40k | Millionaire Street 2023 10w4 |
| UK government | 28/09/2020 | £10k | Coronavirus Community Support Fund |