‘I had to help the hungry’
When Pat Wolfe learned of vulnerable people going without food in her community, she opened a cabin offering lunch and compassion to those in need
On any day of the week in an unassuming car park in Cannock, Staffordshire, a queue of people slowly forms around an inconspicuous-looking cabin. Inside this cabin, Pat Wolfe (75) and a team of volunteers busily butter bread, slice sandwiches and fill up pots of tea. outside the people gathering are some of Cannock’s most vulnerable, who are hungry and homeless. many have found themselves here through an unexpected change of circumstances while others are battling depression or addiction. But for all the issues going on in their lives, for an hour and a half a day every day these people find a muchappreciated lunch and a friendly face when, on the stroke of noon, the doors open on Pat’s cabin. Pat started this lifeline scheme ten years ago following many years’ experience as a volunteer with the Samaritans and later as a counsellor for people with mental health issues and addictions. “I realised many of my clients were struggling to eat and was really surprised this was going on in my area,” says Pat. As she investigated what provision there was to feed people in need, Pat found that except for one church who offered one lunch a week, there was no help available. Shocked, she decided to do something and started fundraising, with the support of Rugeley Lions charity, to open a portable cabin to distribute packed lunches. While the cabin initially opened with no running water or electricity, it quickly became a success as more and more vulnerable people started visiting, often on the recommendation of police, the probationary service and citizens advice who all supported the project, as did
Cannock Council. A few years later, Cannock Rotary Association approached Pat and offered to support the scheme by buying a bigger portable cabin with electricity – meaning they could finally brew a pot of tea! Today Pat and the volunteers serve up a lunch of ham or cheese sandwiches, cake or crisps, and a hot or cold drink, as
well as men’s and ladies’ clothes donated by local people and the Rotary. In ten years of doing this, they’ve now distributed approximately 81,600 lunches and drinks. “No one is turned away from the cabin, no matter who they are and we don’t ask them for any details about their personal life,” says Pat. Many people, however, do choose to share their story with volunteers. “We have people come to the cabin who were working for years and then suddenly they were made redundant and in financial difficulties and hungry. “We’ve also had people turn up who’ve been near to suicide and a listening ear from our loyal volunteers had helped comfort them. “It’s easy to judge these people and think they don’t work or are begging, but when you hear their stories, you realise why they’re here.” One of the most moving stories Pat remembers is of a lady who always turned up at the cabin very angry and aggressive. “Then one day she came in and I could see she was crying. She had just heard her mother had died and it was also her son’s tenth birthday and she wasn’t allowed to see him,” says Pat. “As she told me of an abusive childhood, an alcoholic mother and an early addiction to drugs and self-harm issues, it became clear that this woman had always used anger as a way of coping. “It felt as if she needed to tell someone her story, probably for the first time, and express all the pent-up guilt, hatred and anger. I felt close to tears as I heard her story and asked myself how we have the right to judge anyone without knowing what it has taken them to get here.” Food distributed from the cabin is undoubtedly a saviour for many but it’s this listening ear, a shoulder to cry on and a safe place to talk that makes it so special and changes lives. “We’ve heard stories of people who’ve visited us who’ve gone on to find jobs or homes. We’re often a very small part of them turning their lives around as they usually need professional help, but we’re the only ones who keep them going on a day-to-day basis. We have also been able to signpost many people on the road by giving them details of where to get help, including food banks.” In recognition of her amazing commitment to helping others, Pat recently received a special Service Beyond Self award from Cannock Rotary. But for all that she was honoured by the accolade, she just says it’s a privilege to try to make a difference. “I’m just glad I’ve been able to help and when people thank us, I feel like I’ve fulfilled what I set out to do and that it’s been worthwhile. “I now hope we can just continue to help those who are struggling and I’d love to see similar schemes rolled out around the country by ordinary people, like me, who see there’s a need to help vulnerable people in their area.” To donate your support for the cabin, send a cheque payable to PGY&Cs Portacabin to 521 Pye Green road, Hednesford, Cannock, staffordshire Ws12 4lP
‘No-one is turned away from the cabin, no matter who they are, and we don’t ask them for details’