New Start Highland has officially taken over management of the Highland Foodbank from Blythswood Care. The Foodbank provides vital support to more than 5,000 people each year and following two decades of dedicated leadership and successful delivery, Blythswood has entrusted New Start Highland to lead the Foodbank into its next chapter.
In partnership with leading national food charity Trussell, Blythswood Care has supported families and individuals in crisis from across the region with much needed emergency food parcels. The Highland Foodbank is managed by a small team of employees and over 70 committed volunteers serving communities across Inverness, Nairn, Alness, Tain and Dingwall.
Now, as part of its long-term vision to focus more on its UK wide and international remit, Blythswood has recognised neighbouring social enterprise New Start Highland as the best placed partner to lead the Highland Foodbank into the future.
Chief Executive of New Start Highland, James Dunbar, said, “After celebrating 25 years of serving our community, we have been exploring new ways to extend our impact. Taking on the Highland Foodbank felt like a natural progression for us, aligning closely with the services we already provide for people facing crisis. Working with the team at Blythswood, we will ensure a smooth and well-supported transition, and we thank them sincerely for their dedication in delivering such a vital service.”
Chief Executive of Blythswood Care, Jeremy Ross, said, “The success of Highland Foodbank over the past 20 years is a testament not only to the team, but to the dedication of its volunteers and the steadfast support of the wider community. As we pass the governance of Highland Foodbank to fellow local charity New Start Highland, we do so with confidence. Many of our clients have already benefited from their support through training, housing and other services, meaning the Foodbank is in safe hands and well placed to go from strength to strength.”
New Start Highland brings over 25 years of experience supporting people across the Highlands who are living in poverty or crisis. In addition to housing support, the organisation offers employability training, furniture re-use, volunteering opportunities and a wide range of community services. Its recently launched Training and Reuse Village in Merkinch features a bike hub, pre-loved retail, a café and a training kitchen, further strengthening its commitment to helping people build skills, confidence and stability.
The organisation is on a volunteer recruitment drive for the Foodbank and across the organisation, for more information about how you can volunteer visit newstarthighland.org/get-involved/volunteering.
Following the handover, all Highland Foodbank bases will operate as usual and opening times for local branches can be found at newstarthighland.org/how-we-help/highland-foodbank.