It’s not only foodbanks that are helping to address food poverty across Wiltshire.

Corsham Baptist Church started Souper Friday back in January to help support the community. It was originally a simple free lunch of soup and bread, tea and coffee from 1 to 2.30pm every Friday in the church hall.

But due to the effects of lockdown, volunteers now go on the road and take the food out to the wider community.

As a result food parcels are now delivered in Corsham, Chippenham and surrounding areas, along with the chance for a socially distanced chat and a prayer.

Volunteer Esther Albon helped set up Souper Fridays back in January and explained that it is now much more than just soup.

She and other volunteers collect surplus food from supermarkets and deliver them to homes it on Friday mornings. They also collaborate with Corsham Foodbank.

She explained: “It started out as drop-in session for people to come and enjoy soup and a hot roll and has become so much bigger now.

“There is a real depth of loneliness in our communities. Mostly, it is the older population who live alone, but young families and young people are also struggling whether it be with job issues or mental health.

“Since Souper Fridays service went on the road due to lockdown, we’ve given out 1800 food parcels and have 55 households on our ever growing list.

“It’s a lot more than just soup, our volunteers speak with people on their doorsteps and those relationships have grown into really meaningful friendships.

“The need is there in Corsham and across Wiltshire- otherwise groups like us wouldn’t exist - and it’s about making sure we reach as many people as possible.”