LOCAL businesses and donors contributed extra support to help provide food for people in Radstock facing food insecurity over the Christmas period.

Radstock Food Club, a charity run by Swan Advice Network that provides low-cost food for people experiencing food insecurity, received significant support in the run-up to Christmas. With contributions from local businesses and additional funding, the organisation was able to provide extra provisions, helping to ensure that members had access to sufficient food throughout the festive period.

With support from major donors, including Radstock & Westfield Big Local, the Food Club was able to secure an additional £500 to fund the creation of 35 Christmas Bags, which contained items such as a whole frozen chicken, mince pies, cheese, and crackers. The organisation also ran a Christmas Food Drive, encouraging local businesses to donate items such as tinned soup, pasta, and cereal.

The Food Club receives weekly support from Radstock Town Council and contributions from local businesses, including Sam Chiver’s Estate Agents, CFH Communications, Hope House Surgery, and Bridges Engineering, which have helped increase the amount of food available to members.

The support provided was made possible by the efforts of the Food Club’s volunteers, who collected additional items from multiple supermarkets and collection points across Bath and North East Somerset.

Radstock Food Club coordinator, Sofia Perkins, said “This Christmas showed just how strong and caring the Norton Radstock community is; every item donated and every hour helped make a real difference to local people who needed it most. The Food Club would like to thank everyone who played a part in making this Christmas a little brighter for our members.”

The Radstock Food Club is part of the work of Swan Advice Network (SWAN), a local charity based in Radstock that supports people on low incomes in Bath and North East Somerset. It provides access to low‑cost food for anyone experiencing financial hardship, with weekly sessions where members can purchase a bag of food for a small donation. 

The majority of the food is supplied by the national redistribution charity FareShare and varies each week, including fresh vegetables, bread, dairy, frozen items and dry goods. The club is managed by Swan Transport (part of SWAN) and a team of volunteers, and operates at the Radstock Community Hub & Library every Friday.

SWAN (Swan Advice Network) is a community-focused charity based in Radstock that provides practical support and services to people on low incomes across Bath and North East Somerset. Their work includes offering low-cost food through the Radstock Food Club, providing volunteer transport for older or disabled residents, and running social activities to reduce isolation. The organisation also provides advice and guidance on benefits, budgeting, and accessing local services.

The Radstock Food Club runs every Friday from 13:00 to 15:00 at the Radstock Library and Community Hub.

For more information about the Food Club, including how to become a member, volunteer, or make a donation, visit swan-transport.com or contact Sofia by email at [email protected]