Providing Better Care Together

Local joint action at its best

We could not have managed our food distribution activities without local joint action. A number of organisations have worked with us, funded us and encouraged us to distribute food and activity parcels to local families during lockdown. Without them we couldn’t have worked at the scale, or had the impact that we have been able to have.  They are our trusted partners.

Schools: Our member schools quickly and efficiently helped us by identifying the families in greatest need of support and putting us in touch.  We had practical help as well, from some wonderful teachers.  We are very grateful to Maureen Woodley (St Mary’s Primary) and Yasmin Akhtar (Greystone Academy) and Dawn Harvey (St Michael’s) [insert links to schools database] who have worked as a team with our own staff, Debz Bonnique and Debbie Thomas. 

Sewa Day: We continue to receive support with donations from Sewa Day despite significant pressures on their supplies because of increased demand. The items received vary each time but regularly include biscuits, cereals, pasta, sweets, chocolates, tinned food, and crisps. 

Gurdwara Aid: Gurdwara Aid have been really supportive, with a weekly delivery of food which really helped us establish and get into the swing of things.  They can’t supply us at the moment because of such high demand but we are thankful for their early generosity.

Fareshare: Being supported by Fareshare means we have access to weekly supermarket donations.  Our Project Manager Debz has to collect from Tesco branches in Yardley and Sheldon after 8.30pm, and another volunteer picks up from Tesco Express in Sutton Colddield early in the morning each week.  We never know what will be donated, but it’s often a large variety of bread, buns, pastries, pre-packed salads, vegetables and some fruit. 

Finally, our funders.  Legacy WM and the Heart of England Community Foundation have funded us to put together sports activity packs and learning packs for children, which families receive along with the food parcels and essential supplies.  It’s been a really brilliant addition to the parcels and we know from feedback from the families we support that it’s really made a difference.