Praise for helping hands of centre on ‘knife edge’
THE manager of a St Ann’s charity has praised volunteers for carrying on helping residents, especially during lockdown.
Debbie Webster, originally from Bulwell, is lead manager of the St Anns Advice Group at the Chase Neighbourhood Centre.
“It never ceases to amaze me that some of the most disadvantaged people are the most neighbourly and kind people – it’s really humbling,” said Ms Webster.
“I think it’s really important people know that we can help.”
The group has been helping people in St Ann’s since the 1980s and Ms Webster has been working at the centre for 15 years.
The centre offers an independently-run food bank, IT suites, community groups, financial advice and wellbeing support.
A new 10-year study programme, funded by the National Lottery: Small Steps Big Changes (SSBC) is also based at the Advice Centre.
“It’s about how young families with children, children under four and pregnant women get support, she said.
“It’s non-judgmental and it’s not about being told what to do. It’s a good service as some families would see it [SSBC] as people trying to interfere but it’s not that – it’s voluntary sector work to support people.”
SSBC’S aim is to see how the services provided to families in the programme impact children over the 10 years it is running.
Ms Webster said the Advice Centre has taken steps to try and increase widespread support to the community and those who are in a real crisis.
“With our independent food bank, before, we fed people who were unemployed, now, we do it for those who could just simply be struggling,” she said.
“Our fuel vouchers tend to come from projects funded through British Gas and before, we’ve given away free microwaves and anything people need if we have it.”
IT suites are provided by the centre to help those looking for jobs and staff at the community also help with form filling and financial support.
“We make sure people are getting the right amount of benefits as they might not be sure what they’re entitled to and we represent them,” she said.
“Of course, it’s all free. We can also put holds on bailiff actions, get help from solicitors from the law centre and put payment plans in place for people.”
The centre tries to recruit locally as much as is possible, giving jobs and voluntary experience to boost others’ opportunities.
“Funding is on a knife edge,” she said. “Sometimes I wonder how we are going to make sure other people keep their jobs.”
Over lockdown, Ms Webster says they found ways to get help to people: “We were giving advice through the window and by March we were feeding around 1,000 people mainly from St Ann’s.
“Covid has really highlighted injustices. It shouldn’t just be community centres doing this kind of work.
“The Government needs to do more.”
Clare Burfoot, who has recently started volunteering, said: “For me, it’s about giving back. I like talking to people from different walks of life and I love St Ann’s because they’re some of the most wonderful people I’ve ever met here.”
I love St Ann’s because they’re some of the most wonderful people I’ve ever met
Clare Burfoot