IFAN and the Trussell Trust

Day

Wednesday 15 June

Time slot

09:30-10:30

This event took place almost 2 years ago

Room

Carron suite
Wheelchair accessible

Contact

Cara Hilton
01722 580 180

Topics

Economy Policy & influencing Poverty

Who was the event aimed at?

Influencers

Who spoke at this event?

Ben MacPherson MSP, Minister for Social Security and Local Government
Polly Jones, Head of Scotland, The Trussell Trust
Sabine Goodwin, Co-ordinator, the Independent Food Aid Network
Speakers from Trussell Trust & IFAN food banks

Event summary

What was covered in your sessions?

In our session, we explored how the third sector can help us deliver our ambition to end the need for charitable food aid in Scotland, particularly in the context of the launch of the Scottish Governments Action Plan to End the Need for Foodbanks this autumn. We highlighted the importance of taking a cash first approach to support people in crisis and the work of cash first partnerships across Scotland. We talked about how unacceptable it is that so many people have no option but to use a food bank and the impact the cost of living crisis is having in our network and made the case for action by government at all levels (local, national and UK wide) to make policy choices that boost people’s incomes, both from work and social security, and end the need for anyone to rely on charity to afford the essentials. Our guest speaker was Ben Macpherson, Scottish Govt Minister for Social Security and Local Government.

Was there any useful feedback or reflection from the participants?

Participants were keen to hear more about the Scottish Government’s forthcoming action plan and how they could work in partnership to deliver a Scotland without the need for food banks and other charitable food aid. Across Scotland we are all working to strengthen our communities and when we come together, we can achieve so much more.

How people can find out more or get involved in your work?

If anyone is interested in supporting our work or finding out more about the Trussell Trust or IFAN, please contact Cara Hilton, Policy & Public Affairs Manager (Scotland), The Trussell Trust at cara.hilton@trusselltrust.org. You can also follow us on Twitter: @TrussellScot and @IFAN_UK