Meet the Team
Carpenters Food & Support is powered by a dedicated team of staff, trustees, and volunteers who give their time, skills, and compassion to ensure no one in our community faces crisis alone. Every person plays a vital role in creating a welcoming, dignified, and supportive environment for those who come through our doors.
We are committed to safe, responsible practice. All staff and volunteers receive appropriate training for their roles, and safeguarding is at the heart of everything we do.
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Debbie Forge
Manager
Debbie is a former Pastoral Assistant from Sacred Heart and St Pius X Churches and brings more than 22 years of experience working within the Chew Valley, Hartcliffe and Withywood communities. She was among the first people to explore the possibility of establishing a foodbank in the area and remains passionate about supporting those facing hardship.
Drawing on a wide range of organisational experience gained through a previous career in systems analysis, her Guiding activities and her role as a Bristol key contact for the Fairtrade Network, Debbie provides invaluable support to the charity's finance, administration, digital systems, and advocacy work. Her strong attention to detail, practical problem-solving skills, and commitment to fairness help ensure the charity operates efficiently, responsibly, and with transparency in all that it does.
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Tracey Phillips
Manager
Tracey is a Churchwarden at Withywood Church and one of the founder members of Carpenters Food & Support. Alongside her role with the charity, she is a manager at the Withywood Centre, where she is responsible for community engagement. Through this work, she has developed an extensive knowledge of local services, support agencies, and community activities across the area.
As Foodbank Manager, Tracey leads the day-to-day running of Carpenters Food & Support, ensuring that every session is delivered with compassion, dignity, and professionalism. She oversees operations, supports and develops volunteers, and works closely with referral agencies and partner organisations to provide effective support for local people. Her deep understanding of the community, combined with her commitment to helping others, plays a vital role in shaping the charity's service and strengthening its links within the wider community.
Our Trustees
Our Board of Trustees provides governance, oversight, and strategic direction. They ensure that Carpenters Food & Support remains true to its mission, operates responsibly, and continues to serve the community with integrity.
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Fran Begley
Fran has supported Carpenter’s Food & Support since its inception and brings extensive knowledge and experience in welfare benefits, debt advice, and advocacy through her role as Manager of South Bristol Advice Service. Her understanding of the challenges facing vulnerable households helps ensure that our support is practical, informed, and connected to wider sources of assistance. Fran works closely with our management team and is passionate about helping people navigate difficult financial situations with dignity and confidence.
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Lin Leach
Lin is a founder member of Carpenter’s Food & Support and remains actively involved in the day-to-day work of the charity, rarely missing a front-line session. Known for her compassionate yet practical approach, she has a gift for supporting people through difficult circumstances while maintaining clear boundaries and fairness. Lin has long been committed to strengthening the local community through her involvement with Withywood Church, her support for the development of the Withywood Centre, and her contribution to the establishment of South Bristol Advice Service.
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Paul Harper
Paul brings a wealth of leadership, recruitment, and business management experience to the trustee board. Through his work as District Commissioner for Bristol South Scout District, he has developed a deep understanding of the local community and a particular passion for supporting young people and young adults as they take their first steps into employment and adult life. A parishioner of St Pius X Church and former Chair of Governors at St Pius X Primary School, Paul combines professional expertise with a longstanding commitment to serving the people of South Bristol. His strategic insight and community connections are invaluable to the charity’s work.
Together, they guide our long-term vision and support the team in delivering safe, effective, and compassionate services.
Our Volunteers
Carpenters Food & Support simply couldn’t operate without its volunteers drawn from all parts of the local community. Their generosity, warmth, and commitment make every session possible.
Pre-Session Volunteers
These volunteers prepare the Centre before each session, organising stock, weighing donations, and ensuring everything is ready to welcome clients.
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Session Volunteers
Our session volunteers greet clients, prepare food parcels, offer a listening ear, and help create a safe, respectful environment for everyone who visits.
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Store Pick Up Volunteer
These volunteers collect surplus food from local supermarkets, helping reduce waste and ensuring we can offer a wider range of fresh and ambient items.
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And Many More...
Our numerous occasional volunteers step in during busy periods, help with events or run collections. Every contribution, big or small, strengthens our community.
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Together, we make the work possible
Our mission is simple but vital: to reduce hunger and poverty in South Bristol and the Chew Valley.
We provide emergency food and essential support to people facing financial hardship, helping them regain stability and take control of the challenges affecting their lives. Through kindness, dignity, and practical assistance, we work to ensure that no one in our community goes to bed hungry.