Be a stressful time so we as happy as we can...
LIFELINE FOR PEOPLE STRUGGLING FOR MONEY OVER THE FESTIVE PERIOD
Buckingham appeal.
Meanwhile, the centre’s Christmas fair, held earlier this month, gave volunteers, staff, supporters and centre users the chance to come together as a community.
It also served to highlight the work that goes on at the centre throughout the year, such as its art classes.
They are one of a number of activities run at the Lalley Centre, including health and well being sessions, a community allotment project, a job club and language lessons.
“Christmas is a time where we get a lot of donations,” adds Julia.
“A lot of people think of us at this time, because for us, it’s about helping struggling families get through, and other people think of us then and that’s very nice.
“We are always grateful for any donations as it’s only getting worse.”
In addition to the thousands of people who received help with food throughout the year, the centre also provided more than 100 emergency food parcels.
On average, the food bank is now helping more than 140 people every week. It registered 130 new foodbank members between October and March alone.
Staff and volunteers are set for a busy January, as the food bank prepares to leave its current home and move onto the same site as the community centre, which is in the basement Emergency Food of St Malachy’s Roman Catholic Primary School. “There’s ways people can help,” adds Julia. “They can donate to the Lalley – money or time – in the new year. It’ll be a busy January moving foodbank on site.
“We will be more user-friendly for people. We anticipate foodbank demand increasing next year, we get new people every week for the food bank.”
The Lalley Centre’s work to ensure that everyone who steps through the door feels valued carries on throughout the year, and never more so than at Christmas.
“It’s about making everyone feel they are worth something, they are special,” adds Julia.
“Making the children feel that too. Every adult wants to provide for their children at Christmas. It’s not just children either, lots of adults come here.
“People don’t come here in any sort of greedy way, they are grateful for anything they are given. A lot of people like to repay us and help us out at the Christmas fair.
“It’s not about taking here, it’s about us all doing things together.
“We like people to do things with us. It’s for all faiths and none, we just try to make it a special family time.”