Inside the SW London Foodbank Warehouse
A story from Charlie Clift, SW London photographer and director.
When reports of a global pandemic, a deadly virus and a national lockdown were announced in March 2020, life started to change dramatically for many. The knock-on effect after certain changes to ‘how we live our lives’, has caused job losses, homelessness, and poverty for a very high percentage of people living in the UK.
It has now been reported that 1 in 5 people live below the poverty line and this means that food charities, such as The Trussell Trust are needed more than ever.
In Lambeth, located at St Margaret the Queen Church, Streatham Hill, is the main warehouse for Norwood and Brixton Foodbank, and has now become the main warehouse that supplies the surrounding foodbanks in South West London.
Norwood and Brixton Foodbank opened in September 2011 with the support and encouragement of a number of local churches. We began in West Norwood with a small space in St Luke’s church and quickly expanded our working area and added another distribution centre in Brixton in March 2012.
As we acknowledge that Foodbanks are ‘More than Food’, we are looking to what we can provide beyond the sessions. We have strong links with CAP Brixton, offering debt advice and support for those struggling to manage their money.
Norwood and Brixton Foodbank, now located at St Margaret the Queen Church in Streatham Hill, continues to be supported by local churches, the community and a very enthusiastic team of volunteers.
The foodbank has recently reported that there has been a fast and very worrying increase in people who can’t afford to supply enough food, to feed themselves and their families each week.
“The foodbank was there when we really needed it, it was an absolute lifeline.”
The foodbank teams and volunteers work tirelessly to help those who need it. They believe that nobody in the local community should have to face going hungry. They supply three days’ of nutritionally balanced, emergency food and support to those who have been referred to them in crisis. To many, this is an invaluable lifeline. Norwood and Brixton foodbank are part of a nationwide network of foodbanks, supported by The Trussell Trust, working to combat poverty and hunger across the UK.
At the start of the pandemic, in March 2020, local photographer and director, Charlie Clift, began volunteering at the South London warehouse and was shocked to find out how many people relied on the foodbanks. In April 2020, the South London warehouse reported that it had fed 3,600 people, which is three times more than normal.
Charlie found that the there was always a positive atmosphere in the warehouse, where no-one was judged. He witnessed local heroes volunteering their time to support their community and after speaking to those receiving the food, he realised just how hard their life had become.
He spoke to musicians, actors and even a skilled Health care worker, employed by a private company but unable to work due a genetic disorder, making her vulnerable.
“The venues had to close, the gigs have stopped, the work has dried up”, their income has been decimated, making the foodbanks vital for these people.
He documented his time at the warehouse, with a wonderful series of photographs. He has photographed the volunteers, those receiving food parcels and the warehouse incredibly well, bringing to life the importance of what is happening there, each day.
Your community needs your support, more than ever… can you help?
To find out more about how you can help, please visit the Norwood and Brixton website which gives you information on donating money and food.
Thank you to all the volunteers and the teams at the South London Warehouse.
Thank you to Charlie Clift, who has kindly allowed me to share his photographs and story.
Find out more about Charlie Clift and his story about the SW London Foodbank Warehouse on his website.
