Food donations to help town’s rough sleepers

EARLY preparations for the upcoming Harvest period are underway and we are currently in the process of compiling a stock take in our food store at The Wellspring.

A huge proportion of our stock comes in during Harvest, as well as regular donations throughout the year.

These donations enable us to provide a food service 365 days a year.

We have lunchtime sessions running seven days a week and additional evening food sessions Monday to Thursday.

If you would like to donate food during Harvest or any other time throughout the year please do not hesitate to contact us on 0161 477 6344. The food store is co-ordinated by our volunteers.

Here at The Wellspring we have a volunteer programme for our members, this incorporates an application process, full needs assessment, support plan and rota.

The aim of the member volunteer programme is to give something back and prepare people for a working environment.

Many of our members report feeling lost with nothing to occupy their minds.

This week our food store volunteer, Lee, has been part of the member volunteer programme for one year.

Lee first accessed the service three years ago, he had been sleeping rough in a disused shop, but the owner had found out and asked him to leave.

With support from The Wellspring, Lee was placed into temporary accommodation and then into his own tenancy.

Lee struggled to cope with the transition and with changes to universal credit his bills became out of control and unfortunately he was evicted.

Lee then spent 12 months sleeping rough and sofa surfing, accessing The Wellspring regularly for food, showers, clothes and support.

It was during this period that he began his voluntary role to keep his mind occupied, it gave him a purpose in life.

Lee maintains the food store, organising all food donations brought in and ensuring stock rotation.

Lee feels this is an ideal role for him as he suffers from anxiety, if he is having a bad day the routine and having something to focus on help calm him down.

More recently, Lee’s confidence has grown and he now also volunteers on reception, meeting and greeting members of the public and supporting other members.

Lee is now back in temporary accommodation and hopes that he will soon be able to move on into his own home.