A PHARMACIST has swapped running a big city dispensary for the leadership of a town food bank.

Danielle Cadden, aged 38, has been appointed Caldicot Food Bank manager, and having run a big dispensary in Cardiff brings an understanding of what it takes to talk to people about their needs.

Danielle takes over from Monmouthshire county councillor Joanne Watkins who has been running the food bank since the start of lock-down in March, when many of the regular volunteers had to isolate.

Cllr Watkins (Lib Dem, Castle Ward, Caldicot) ensured the organisation continued to function effectively, despite the coronavirus and restrictions.

Food bank chairman David Flint said they have been looking for a new manager who understood the importance of client care.

“Caldicot Food Bank prides itself on attempting to help those whose lives have suddenly hit the buffers,” he said. “This is best done when we are able to signpost our clients to further help.”

In the 12 months to the end of September, Caldicot Food Bank helped nearly 1,250 people, an increase of nearly 50 per cent on the previous year, with donated food worth £30,000

And it is planning on the economic situation getting worse and demand rising.

Danielle, who is is married with a young family and lives in Magor said she had been wanting to get involved with the food bank for some time.

With both her children at school, and now only working two days a week as a locum pharmacist, the advertisement for the position came at just the right time.

Having been in post for 10 days, she said: “I’m already heavily involved in planning our Christmas Parcel Scheme, which aims to help the most vulnerable children at such a critical time of year, and I’ve already met with key workers within Monmouthshire’s Child Protection provision, to discuss this scheme.”

Mum-of-two Councillor Watkins, known as Jo, is the Liberal Democrat Group Leader on Monmouthshire County Council, has chaired the Democratic Services Committee and Period Dignity Working Group for the council, and will contest the Monmouth seat at the Senedd election next year.

She said: “At the start of the pandemic, the food bank was left with a handful of able volunteers.

“My initial task was to ensure we could continue given the health advice, and thankfully my contacts in the county council certainly paid dividends for all the food banks in Monmouthshire.”

She said she was leaving to concentrate on her election objectives, but will be working closely together with Danielle over the next few weeks to ensure a smooth transition.

Founded eight years ago, Caldicot Food Bank is a member of the Raven House Trust, a registered charity, and is supported by ‘Churches Together in Caldicot’. All Caldicot Food Bank clients must be referred by an accredited agency, and the organisation is currently dealing with more than 20 agencies including housing associations, Flying Start, The Job Centre, Citizens Advice, health visitors and others.

David Flint said that during the Covid crisis the food bank’s clientele had changed from being largely those with debt, housing or unemployment difficulties, to those suffering domestic abuse as well as family break-downs or drug and alcohol-related problems.

A number of small business owners and those working in lower-paid jobs such as the hospitality industry have also been hard hit.