About us

• OUR MISSION
  We exist for one reason: to make sure no one in our community goes without the basics. That means emergency food and clothing for anyone in or around Winchester who’s having a tough time — whatever the reason, and without asking them to prove it. During the longer school holidays, we also send extra food to families whose children would normally have free school meals, and we work alongside other local food charities to support low-income households.
• DONATIONS AND SUPPORT
  Most of our food comes from people who live near you — through churches, schools, supermarket donation points and individual drop-offs. You’ll find permanent collection points at:
  • Sainsbury’s (Winchester and Badger Farm)
  • Waitrose (Weeke)
  • Co-op (City Road, Winchester, and Alresford)
  • West Lea Farm Shop, Alresford
• Financial donations from individuals, businesses and charitable groups pay for what we can’t get through donation alone — fresh food, household basics and the running costs of keeping five hubs open.

• OUR HISTORY
  We opened our doors in January 2004, inspired by a similar project in Southampton. A small steering group came together — people from Winchester Churches Night Shelter, Winchester Citizens Advice, St Barnabas Church and local health services — who could see the same need was real here. The City Church on Jewry Street offered us their basement at a low rent and helped us get going. More than twenty years on, the work has grown a long way from that basement, but the idea hasn’t changed: meet people where they are, give them what they need, and treat them with dignity.
• HOW WE CAN HELP
  You can come to us through one of two routes. Around 80 local agencies can refer people to us — including Winchester City Council, Citizens Advice, CAP and local housing associations. You can also refer yourself, but please be aware that you may only self refer a maximum of 4 times – you may have further referrals, but they must come through a support organisation. If you’re already at that limit and still need help, please get in touch — we’ll always try to find a way to help, or point you to someone who can.

Rt Revd Philip Mounstephen President

Bishop Philip has been the Bishop of Winchester since 2023, having been Bishop of Truro from November 2018 until 2023. He was previously the executive leader of the Church Mission Society (CMS); worked for the Church Pastoral Aid Society (CPAS); and served in parish ministry in the Diocese of Oxford, the Diocese of Southwark and the Diocese in Europe.

Mary Alveyn Director

Mary joined WFBB as a volunteer in 2017, shortly after retiring after 36 years as an NHS Physician. She continues to be active in the warehouse and in the hubs as well as on the board.
Mary is also a school governor and enjoys singing in choirs and in St Peter’s church where she also helps the prison chaplaincy volunteers and at the Sanctuary Hub, assisting those seeking sanctuary of all types in Winchester.

Beauman Chong Director

Beauman joined WFBB as a Trustee in 2015. A retired IT company director and NHS hospital governor, he also supports a local Ukrainian refugee group with IT equipment. As Churchwarden of a city centre church, he sees first-hand the challenges of homelessness, food insecurity and mental health. Volunteering at the Winchester Beacon and WFBB has been deeply rewarding.

Lucy Dillon Director & Company Secretary

Lucy is a trustee and acts as the charity’s company secretary. In addition, she volunteers at WFBB’s warehouse.
Now retired, she had a career in the legal profession, both as a practising lawyer and as a board-level operational director.
Lucy is also a mentor for the Aspire Scheme at Barton Peveril 6th Form College, supporting students with university applications.

Adrian Girling Director

Adrian was born and educated in Birmingham but has lived in Winchester for the past 38 years. He is married with three grown up children and four grandchildren. Now retired following a career in Insurance Broking with responsibilities in the UK, Europe and Canada, he is also Vice Chair of Trinity Winchester a charity supporting the homeless and victims of domestic abuse in Winchester

Lesley Little Director & Chair

Lesley was born in London and has lived in Winchester for over 30 years. She has had a varied career; from banking to IT; from a dinner lady to a debt adviser with Citizens Advice. Lesley also has extensive local voluntary experience, particularly with Winchester NCT, Girl Guiding and Citizens Advice. Lesley is often humbled by the resilience and thoughtfulness of WFBB clients

Leona Mani Lumsden Director

Leona joined WFBB as a trustee in 2020. She is the founder of The Good Place, a Hampshire-based interior design and home staging consultancy, and brings over 30 years of experience in business development, brand strategy, and marketing to the board. She is passionate about supporting the local community and applies her commercial and creative expertise to help the charity operate effectively and reach those who need it most.

Kate Ratcliffe Director

I first joined the food bank as a food collection volunteer to support the community I live in. With eight years of experience in a housing association, I know firsthand how vital the link is between health and stable housing. I’m now bringing that frontline perspective to the next level by serving as a board member.

Terry Martin Director & Treasurer

I’m a retired Certified Accountant, having worked as Financial Controller across varied sectors—from multinationals to family firms, including retail, insurance, manufacturing, sports and warehousing. Originally from North London, I moved to Winchester in 2012 and now live in Harestock. I’m a member of Christ Church and enjoy watching sport, travel and gardening.

Dean Shaw Director

Dean was originally from Sheffield but moved to Winchester in 2011. He initially joined the WFBB working as a volunteer in the warehouse before becoming a Trustee in 2024, where he now leads our efforts on fundraising. Outside of WFBB, he enjoys spending his free time running, golfing and playing pickleball.

Angus Kirk Operations Manager

After spending 20 years living and working in South Italy in education and in hospital management, Angus moved to Winchester to work in the education sector before joining WFBB in 2023.
He lives in Winchester with his Italian wife and 3 grown-up boys. His hobbies are cinema, sports and arts and crafts.

Bobby Thomsen Warehouse Manager

Bobby has been living in Winchester for the past six years, having moved to the city from the nearby town of Alresford. Previously he spent five years working as a courier for Royal Mail. He initially joined the Winchester Food & Basics Bank as a volunteer for half a year before officially taking on the warehouse’s logistics and management role. Bobby enjoys spending his free time rock climbing, hiking, or looking after dogs.

Kate Rollins Administrative Assistant

Kate has been living in the Winchester area for 7 years now having grown up nearby.
She previously spent 14 years working for Children’s services in Education welfare, and with young people leaving the care system.
She is married with two children, and in her spare time enjoys reading, walking and spending time with friends and family.