Northampton charity announces move to bigger premises after services outgrow pub where it all started

The McCarthy-Dixon Foundation (TMDF), which is currently run from the Swan & Helmet pub in Grove Road, will move to the Castle Hill United Reformed Church premises in Doddridge Street, Spring Boroughs in March 2026.

Founded at the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, the charity started as an emergency food bank, but has since experienced significant growth in the scale and reach of its services, and now provides food support to more than 90 Northamptonshire schools and a wide range of local organisations.

TMDF’s Food & Essentials Hub has been operating from a space donated by Commsave Credit Union since November last year. However, many of the charity’s other activities are now significantly restricted by a lack of space, as they have “severely outgrown” the facilities available at the pub.

Chairperson of the charity Steve Summers said: “We remain committed to ensuring that everyone in Northamptonshire has the opportunity to achieve lasting positive change, and to move beyond crisis or disadvantage.

"A key part of this is ensuring our organisational sustainability, and securing the infrastructure required to deliver our services safely and effectively for years to come. Finding a permanent building is a vital next-step in this process.”

Founder Teresa McCarthy-Dixon said the move represents “a long-awaited step forward, and one that we are very well prepared for.”

She said: “Raising the funds needed to purchase and adapt the building will be a challenge.

“But we are incredibly fortunate to have an extremely dedicated team of amazing volunteers, trustees and staff, who give their time and energy every single day to make our work possible. Their commitment has given us such strong foundations, and I know we are ready for this next step.”

The new premises is a Grade II listed building and the adjoining school rooms form a two-storey community space with a large kitchen, flexible function rooms, offices, toilets and several rooms suited to activities, meetings and events.

Castle Hill URC continues to serve as a place of worship and community support, offering Christian worship services, social activities, and crisis food provision for families in the Spring Boroughs area. TMDF has partnered with the Castle Hill URC Food Bank for many years, and the organisations regularly support each other with donations and supplies, particularly at Christmas when they work together to provide gifts and Christmas dinners for local children and families. TMDF says it hopes that the groups and activities currently running in the building will continue.

Minister of Castle Hill URC Reverend Liz Adams said: “Although it is a time of sadness that the worshipping congregation are too few in number and unable to sustain such a large building, it is fantastic news that the good work started here by the church will continue and be enhanced by TMDF.

“We are excited to see what TMDF can achieve with bigger premises, and we hope to continue supporting the local community alongside them as best we can.”

TMDF, which is close to celebrating its sixth anniversary, says it is committed to preserving the building’s heritage and continuing its legacy as a hub for the local community.