Get emergency foodReferral Partners
As a referral agent, you play an important role in supporting individuals and families experiencing financial hardship.
We encourage referral agents to use their professional judgement, exploring advice and support that can help address the underlying causes of financial hardship wherever possible. Where emergency food is needed, our e-referral system provides a simple and straightforward way to issue a voucher, allowing individuals and families to access support from their local food bank.
We are currently hosting a series of training sessions at the foodbank where you can find out more on how we operate, the service we provide, the items we distribute, the referral process from start to finish. Secure your space in our upcoming training sessions below.
Referral Agency Training
Next available dates are:
Tuesday 12th January 2027 (9:30- 11:30am)
Thursday 21st January 2027 (9:30-11:30am)
Tuesday 9th February 2027 (9:30-11:30am)
Could your organisation become a referral partner?
Wokingham Foodbank works on a referral model, where organisations across the community are able to offer a foodbank voucher to their members or clients (alongside a self-referral pathway through contacting Citizens Advice). This is important for reaching people who might need help but aren’t sure how to get support or are reluctant to ask.
As part of this process, partners should also ensure that appropriate support to overcome the drivers of hardship is in place. We offer further signposting and support to ensure people have access to relevant services and organisations to help them change the circumstances that led to hunger, and break cycles of poverty.
Schools, GPs and health centres, mental health services, police, social work teams, churches, HAF providers, housing associations and other community organisations are voucher holders. Referral agencies receive training in how to offer a referral and are connected to the foodbank through a designated contact who provides ongoing support and information. If you work in a community setting with people who might be struggling with food poverty, and would like to consider becoming a referral agency, please get in touch for more information via info@wokingham.foodbank.org.uk