Social Impact

20 million goods redistributed to more than two million households nationwide.

What began as a small Christmas initiative has evolved into a nationwide, year-round network that both reduces material hardship and promotes environmental sustainability. By addressing the dual challenges of rising need in communities and excess unused products, Multibanks provide practical support while cutting waste.

Financial Relief

By providing essential goods at no cost, the Multibank frees up household income for rent, heating and food. Evidence across sites shows consistent weekly savings:

Weekly saving

£25

£22

Tees Valley

London

Helped avoid debt

Positive budget impact

42%

99%

Fife Families

Swansea recipients

For families on tight budgets, this is the difference between stability and a debt spiral.

Fife

Reduced stress / Anxiety 90%

Improved confidence / self-esteem 82%

London

Reduced stress / Anxiety 80%

Improved confidence / self-esteem 72%

Less worried about finances 72%

Wigan

Reduced stress / Anxiety 80%

Improved confidence / self-esteem 76%

Tees Valley

Reduced stress / Anxiety 45%

More hopeful about the future 52%

Wellbeing

The impact consistently extends beyond the material value of the goods. Across all sites, recipients report reduced stress, improved confidence and greater hope about the future – with up to 90% reduction in stress and anxiety and up to 85% improvement in self-esteem.

Children experience some of the most significant benefits. Access to bedding, clothing, school supplies and hygiene products creates stable home environments that support health, wellbeing and readiness to learn.

These changes, though simple on the surface, can have long-term effects on life chances — particularly through the increased confidence a well-fed, clothed and cared-for child feels in their ability to participate fully in school and community life.

Supporting Frontline Services

The Multibank strengthens the organisations that use it. Across housing, health, education and social care, practitioners consistently report that access to goods allows them to work more effectively with the families they support.

Crisis Prevention

Families where support averted serious outcomes (%)

Fife

Removal / Tenancy (11%)

Wigan

Children into Care (12%)

Wigan

Tenancy Sustained (8%)

Value for Money

Independent Social Return on Investment analysis demonstrates strong economic value across every site:

Site

Social Value

Return per £1

Tees Valley

£103.4 Million

£6.22 per £1

London

~£95 Million

£6.79 per £1

Swansea

£27.7 Million

£5.90 per £1

Wigan

£5.01 per £1

These figures show that Multibanks deliver value beyond immediate aid by reducing pressure on public services through a preventative approach. The Multibank is not only a highly effective humanitarian intervention, but a cost-efficient investment in social wellbeing.

“This has taken a massive weight off me. I didn’t know how I was going to afford everything the baby needed.”

Young mum – The Brick 2026

“The Multibank has helped me to focus on bills rather than the simple things such as hygiene products.”

Parent – BVSC 2025

“When we handed them the parcels the look on their faces was priceless. To get new trainers for their children when theirs were falling apart meant everything to them.”

Julie Rees – Birchgrove Community Foodbank 2024