Tower and Town, April 2023

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MAPAG Chair's Report

It is nearly 10 years since the first meeting of MAPAG, when a group of us met to try to find out what the levels of poverty were in the area and to discuss ways in which to tackle and alleviate them. We discovered that Devizes Foodbank had set up a weekly coffee morning in Christchurch to distribute Food Boxes, offering advice on organisations that may be able to help individuals and families.

We were also aware of the need to pressurise the government to implement changes of policy to reduce the need for foodbanks and to challenge the myths and stigmatisation of those who require our help. Subsequently we organised the Marlborough distribution of Food Boxes, as an offshoot of the Devizes Foodbank, under the expert leadership of Ann Yates and her deputy Sarah Hicks. This coming year Ann will be standing down and Vincent Stokes will replace her. We thank Ann for all the hard work she has put in to build up a good team.

We continue to network with others who share our aims, namely Love Marlborough Kids Meals and the Community Fridge, the Wiltshire Council Area Board and Marlborough Town Council, and now attend Cost of Living Crisis meetings which coordinate Warm Spaces.

It’s been a busy and productive year:

* We have worked with Andrew Jack to get replacement provision for Activ8, and before Christmas the council ran a programme called FUEL at the Youth and Community centre, providing fun activities and a hot meal for 4 days, which we hope will continue in other school holidays.

* In the summer we supported a number of children attending a holiday programme, FACE (Fun, Active, Creative Events) at St. Mary’s Primary School. This was open to children from other schools. We also organised a successful trip for families to the Cotswold Wildlife Park.

* At Christmas we provided Tesco vouchers for 45 families, distributed through St. Mary’s Primary School, Preshute School, Kids Meals and the Foodbank.

* We refer local rough sleepers to the Wiltshire Rough Sleeper Team, and continue to respond to one off applications for funding for particular needs of vulnerable families.

Thank you to all who have donated and made the above possible.

Caroline Thomas has taken over as our Treasurer, and in her role as a Wiltshire Councillor has alerted us to many grants and opportunities available to us. She has also established a Marlborough Area Youth Forum that is in the process of appointing a youth worker. As a Governor at St. John’s, Caroline is working with 6th formers on volunteering and organising a summer event for teenagers.

Rachel Rosedale