Norwich foodbank: Update 210

Good morning! It’s November (you know that) and so Christmas goodies in the shops will soon ramp up – they are already available and have been for a while I think! – and we have had several offers and promises of Christmas collections. I know this time of year may not fill everyone with joy and excitement so I will be mindful of that in the coming weeks. I came across this quote earlier in the week and thought someone may need to read or hear it so sharing it here: Whether it is poor planning, bad news, or something entirely out of our control; we all have bad days. Sometimes, we cannot even pinpoint why we are feeling that way. On those days, it is important to notice the people that make us feel good – recognise their energy, efforts, and kindness.

Film Stars 

One big event last week was Bowthorpe distribution centre hosting a team from Trussell and the manager of Farnworth and Kearsley foodbank (near Manchester) for a filmed visit. As a Pathfinder foodbank, Norwich and 7 others from across the UK were selected to pair up and visit each other to see one particular aspect of the foodbank’s work. Our ‘highlight’ is the way we’re working closely with several partners to better help and serve those who need us. Lots of foodbanks now have a partnership with Citizens Advice, but not many have other agencies – or indeed multiple agencies involved – or have them integrated into the foodbank centres. Kathryn from Farnworth came to Bowthorpe and met the team, chatted with Luan our Shelter worker and then, in the afternoon, met someone we (collectively) had helped through this partnership working. I’m visiting Farnworth foodbank next week, to see their one distribution centre which operates within a church hub with lots of different services, activities and cafe under one roof and one person employed through the church to welcome, signpost and ‘triage’ everyone that comes into the building, which includes the foodbank. The film will combine the two visits and all the films (4 foodbank pairs) will be released next year to share with the entire Trussell foodbank network to show ideas and share good practice as we all seek to end the need for foodbanks in various ways according to our communities, teams and capacities.

Theatre Success

Some of you will have already heard that the Theatre Royal collection was a huge success: 101 crates and 1.3 tonnes was generated over the 2 week run of ‘Come From Away’! With big thanks to you, we were able to man the collection on 7 occasions which meant we could personally thank those who were giving and also share a bit more about our work. We have even gained a new volunteer! We definitely want to do this again and so of course we’ll let you know

Tesco Help

Thank you to all who have signed up to help at Waitrose – this rota is now full hooray! – and we have also filled Friday at Tesco – hooray! We are short of a couple of people on Thursday 29th November 12pm – 2pm and, currently, we have no help on Saturday 30th November (10am – 12pm, 12pm – 2pm and 2pm – 4pm). If you are available, please fill in this survey Tesco rota and we’ll confirm dates / times asap.

Norfolk and Suffolk

Katherine, Keir and I attended the Norfolk and Suffolk foodbank cluster meeting – all Trussell foodbanks from these two counties meeting in-person (we meet monthly online and every now and then in-person) and it’s always in Norwich as it’s the most ‘central’ for everyone to get to. We were reminded on several occasions that ‘the world does not revolve around Norwich!’ following different agencies or opportunities being offered / training being available and so much of it being in or least closest to Norwich and therefore us. This comment did make me remember once again that we are so fortunate to have a plethora of services and opportunities that aren’t afforded to the more rural locations and the subsequent effects of this on our respective and potential clients. A moment of gratitude!

GOOD NEWS STORY:

We received the following message via Chris, our British Red Cross worker from a person he had met and worked with through a foodbank centre. It shows the power of a conversation and how important it can be to simply listen and be available:

‘My Names X, We met at a local foodbank and you spent some time talking to me about things to do with my proposed business, life, etc. Things have evened out considerably since we spoke, finances have improved, my depression has lifted… a bit… and I have a start up date of around the end of November. A couple of things I wanted to say, the first was thank you! I was in a horribly dark place that day, and a simple conversation with a human (you!) made a real difference for me. [the second thing was personal to the client so I’ve taken it out]

I know lots of you will naturally do this within your role at the foodbank, whatever official hat you have on that day – welcome, toiletries, refreshments, parcels, whatever – so just to encourage you in this. If at your distribution centre there isn’t capacity for this important aspect, please do let Jon or I know and we’ll support you as a team to incorporate this or indeed recruit a new person / people to help support you and those we serve – as you can see here it has such a positive impact!

Happy Friday everyone and have a lovely day and weekend.

Hannah