Local charity Footprints in the Community is ready to provide emergency food and support to anyone facing food poverty. With many people worrying about increased bills, especially over the long winter months, this local charity wants to let local people know that support and help is available, whatever the reason for the crisis.
Footprints in the Community started in 2011 and now runs a number of projects from their offices at 10 Queen Street in Redcar, each of which aims to reduce poverty and isolation and improve health and wellbeing, in Redcar and the surrounding area.
The charity also employs an experienced Support Worker, Charlie, to provide signposting, guidance and support – tailored to an individual’s personal circumstances – on a wide range of financial issues. This could include benefit checks and ‘better off’ calculations, benefit applications and challenging decisions, searching and applying for grant funding and referrals to other organisations who may be able to help with other types of support, including fuel vouchers.
Charlie is available to members and clients of Footprints’ projects, by appointment in Redcar and also through drop-in sessions at various locations, including Redcar Area Foodbank centres and Next Step Shops. Many people who have accessed these Footprints’ projects over the last few months have already benefited from Charlie’s expert help.
Charlie Brady, Support Worker said, “We know that people are worried about how they will manage financial pressures over the coming months. We want people to know that help is available. This may be through Footprints in the Community projects – including Redcar Area Foodbank and Next Step Shops – or by checking that people are accessing all benefits that are available. We can also signpost and refer to other local organisations who may offer additional services relevant to our client’s specific needs.”
Redcar Area Foodbank currently run nine foodbank centres across Redcar & Cleveland providing parcels containing at least three-days’ emergency food (there is a full list of centres on the website https://redcararea.foodbank.org.uk) They work with a wide range of local care professionals, who can all refer people in genuine crisis. A maximum of four referrals are allowed in a six-month period.
Next Step Shops are subsidised members’ shops and are often the ‘next step’ for foodbank clients. There are currently two Next Step Shops in the area; one at Queen Street in Redcar and one inside the Grangetown United Community Hub, allowing members to choose the most convenient place for them to shop. Shop members pay a small contribution of £3 towards their shopping and can visit their chosen shop on a weekly basis. For £3 they receive 10 items of tinned or packet food. A daily selection of fresh food is also available, such as fruit, vegetables and bread products.
If you would like to help Footprints support local people in need, donations of non-perishable food and toiletries are needed now more than ever. Any donations can be dropped off at 10 Queen Street in Redcar during office hours and there are foodbank donation points in most local supermarkets. Monetary donations are always appreciated as they allow items that are most needed to be purchased. Donations can be made at https://cafdonate.cafonline.org/20571
