The Shrublands Advice and Coffee Shop was set up in 1996 to provide support to the community by the local church – Shrublands Christian Fellowship. Since those early days the coffee shop developed into The Shrublands Trust acquiring charity status in 1998.
The charity is overseen by a team of trustees who are held accountable for the activities held on its premises. The trustees meet every two months.
In the beginning it offered advice, developing into the provision of Breakfast and Lunch Clubs, and operating as a children’s homework club on Fridays. Changes in community needs led the Trust to open the Food Bank Scheme in 2015, with other activities during the week. Click here to view the trends in Families served. Please note the totals are from January - December for each year, so for year 2025 only shows totals upto end of July.
The donations and financial support are given, (either as money or food donations), to The Shrubland Trust by the various Shirley churches and by local charity organisations and private individuals and residents.Click here to view our lists of our Supporters.
Finacial donations can be easily and securely made via https://localgiving.org/charity/shrublands-trust or Click here to donate button on top of the page.
Each week, a list of most needed food and other items, are published at the Home page. A team of Volunteers help us at our Coffee Shop to make up the Food parcels which are then delivered to the referred families, by our team of volunteer Drivers. The preparing of the food parcels is categorised in three groups, Small - a single resident, Medium – family up to four persons and Large – for more than 4 persons.
During a huge demand, the Trust need to buy essential items every week to fulfil the shortfall from Food donations and our stock. Click here to view our latest stats on the trends on the demands for our services over each month of the year. Christmas and the Easter periods are when there is a large campaign to provide food and seasonal treats to those in need.
Over the years, referrals of families needing help have come from various agencies.
Each area has its own food bank system, but the Croydon Welfare Officers will often ask for help from adjoining food banks to support a particular bank who may not have the food reserves to feed all the families in their area. Over number of years, The Shrublands Trust has provided support to areas outside the Shrublands catchment. We are also in contact with other local food banks to establish if they or we need help.
Check out from our Stats page that shows the areas we have served over the years, both in and outside our catchment area.