At Craven Street Wealth, we believe that supporting the communities where we live and work is an important part of who we are as a firm. That is why every employee is given a bank of 10 paid volunteering hours each year – time they can use to support causes close to their hearts and make a tangible difference locally.

Recently, three members of our Dorset office; Lorraine Jones-Knott, Gary Burn and Rabea Wullner used their volunteering hours to support Wimborne Foodbank+, a community-focused charity run by Faithworks Dorset.

Wimborne Foodbank+ does far more than simply distribute food. Based in Dorset, the organisation operates with dignity, respect and community at its core; offering emergency food parcels, budgeting advice, signposting to support services, and additional community programmes for local families and individuals.

The foodbank relies on local volunteers to help with day-to-day operations, food sorting and welcoming those who come for support.

Lorraine, Gary and Rabea stepped in to lend a hand, helping to sort food donations, prepare emergency food parcels and assist with operational tasks. Their contributions helped keep the foodbank running smoothly during busy periods, and gave them firsthand insight into the practical support the charity provides.

During their visit, the team were particularly struck by how thoughtfully the foodbank is structured to support people beyond immediate food needs. The manager, Sharon Keenan, offered a warm welcome, provided clear direction on how volunteers could assist, and took the time to explain the background and day-to-day operation of the service. They also noted the multi-agency setup within the centre, with representatives from Citizens Advice, housing and finance stationed at different tables to offer practical, tailored support. Seeing young families come in was a powerful reminder of the challenges many are facing; alongside essential food items, children were able to choose from a small selection of toys, and families could pick up seasonal treats such as mince pies.

For many struggling with the rising cost of living, organisations like Wimborne Foodbank+ are lifelines. In addition to emergency food support, the foodbank operates services such as free budgeting and debt advice, school holiday food packs for pupil premium families, and recipe bags designed to help families cook fresh, healthy meals on a budget.

Speaking about her experience, Lorraine said: “It was incredibly rewarding to spend time with the foodbank team and see the impact of their work. It really brought home how valuable even a few hours of hands-on support can be.”

Gary added that volunteering helped him understand more about the challenges people face in his local community, while Rabea highlighted “the sense of teamwork and purpose in supporting such a vital charity.”

At Craven Street Wealth we are proud of our colleagues for stepping up and giving their time to help others. Our volunteering policy exists to empower team members to make meaningful contributions to the causes they care about, building stronger communities one hour at a time.

Wimborne Foodbank+ could not operate without the ongoing support of volunteers and local partners, and we look forward to continuing our relationship with them and other community organisations across the South of England.

Please contact us on 0330 3209280, email info@cravenstreetwealth.com or complete our online enquiry form  to discuss how you may benefit from financial planning advice to achieve your goals.

Craven Street Financial Planning Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.