Our Engagement Event With Parliamentary Candidates

We were pleased to host our first parliamentary engagement event with prospective candidates from across the Braintree & Witham constituencies. The event was held at our warehouse on the 25th June 2024, where we covered a wide range of topics including:

• An introduction to Braintree Area Foodbank
• Our work with the council and our vision for the future without the need for Foodbanks
• Challenges with donations and the procurement of stock
• Colleagues from the Trussell Trust outlining the Trussell Trust General Election manifesto
• A project titled ‘laying it all out on the table’, where we showed clients lived experience stories in their own words of hardship and hope

We outlined the need for change in the benefits system and discussed the specific challenges the Braintree district is facing, and why we are busier now more than ever.

Should you be interested in hearing more about the Trussell Trust manifesto, please click here to see the manifesto in full.

We invited all parliamentary candidates to attend from the constituencies that cover the Braintree District. Not only to stay apolitical as a Charity but to also foster different perspectives and view points. Honest discussions took place regarding the current state of poverty in the district and how we can work together on various local issues. Included below are photos from the event and also a full listing of the candidates that are running for election over the two constituencies.

Pictured left to right; Rumi Chowdhury, Labour Party, Witham, David Heather, Independent, Braintree, Chelsey Jay, Independent, Witham, Lee Ranson, Charity Manager, Braintree Area Foodbank

Parliamentary candidates along with Councillors & supporters from the Labour party. Also includes Lee Ranson, Charity Manager & Henry Hopkins, Warehouse & Distribution Manager, Braintree Area Foodbank

FULL LIST OF PARLIAMENTARY CANDIDATES  (as they appear in order from whocanivotefor.co.uk)

Braintree Constituency

• James Cleverly, Conservative and Unionist Party
• Kieron Anthony Franks, Liberal Democrats
• David Heather, Independent
• Richard Thomson, Reform UK
• Paul Thorogood, Green Party
• Matthew Wright, Labour Party

Witham Constituency

• James Abbott, Green Party
• Tim Blaxill, Reform UK
• Rumi Chowdhury, Labour Party
• Chelsey Jay, Independent
• Priti Patel, Conservative and Unionist Party
• Ashley Thompson, Liberal Democrats

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