03/03/2024
You think you know what we do ๐๐ ?
Have a read at a GLIMPSE of our phenomenal community ๐
How It All Began
Donna Elliott: From Unexpected Pregnancy to Community Activism.
In November 2019, I received the surprising news that I was pregnant. With my children already grown and having left home, this news came as a shock. As the world was also grappling with the emerging pandemic and growing concerns, I decided to channel my energy into something positive and impactful. That's when I came up with the idea of starting a recycling group called "Don't Be a Punk, Recycle Your Junk".
The main aim of this initiative was to promote the use of technology as a means to acquire goods and facilitate swapping among community members. I wanted to create a platform where people could exchange items that they no longer needed for things they required, without any monetary transactions involved. This not only encouraged sustainability but also fostered a sense of community and reduced reliance on expensive retail options.
As the pandemic unfolded, the importance of this initiative became even more evident. With limited access to physical stores and the need to minimise contact, our platform provided a safe and convenient way for people to acquire essential items. The community embraced the idea, and our platform started gaining traction.
During this time, individuals approached with offers to volunteer and help in various ways. Their support and dedication were invaluable in expanding our reach and impact. As the demand for assistance increased, we realised that we needed a more formal structure to continue our work effectively. We decided to establish ourselves as a small charity, with a constitution and trustees who shared our vision and values.
Our collective vision is to stand united as a community, driven by the shared values of providing for one another without expecting anything in return. By embracing this selfless approach, we aim to make a positive impact on the mental, physical, and nutritional well-being of our community. Our efforts are supported by collaboration, where boundaries and postcodes hold no significance, allowing us to remain independent in pursuing our goals.
One of the challenges we encountered was the rising need for food items within our community. Recognizing this, we reached out to our community and asked for donations. The response was overwhelming, and we were able to establish a food bank to support those in need. What started as a simple recycling group had evolved into a multifaceted community-driven organisation, all rooted in our shared vision, values, and purpose.
Today, we stand united as a community, sticking to our independent purposes while working together for the betterment of all. Our journey has been one of growth, collaboration, and empowerment. We continue to adapt to the ever-changing needs of our community, ensuring that our values guide us in making a meaningful and lasting impact.
More Than Food Support
We prioritise caring for and listening to the needs of our community. We understand that addressing food poverty is not just about providing emergency relief but also about offering support, advice, and assistance during challenging times. We go beyond simply providing food by offering a range of services to our community members.
One of the ways we support our community is through the work carried out by our volunteers, who are available to help with tasks such as writing letters and providing advice on where to go or whom to turn to for specific needs. Our volunteers have a deep understanding of the resources and services available in our community, allowing them to provide accurate and helpful guidance.
Through our established network, we are able to quickly and efficiently resolve questions and direct individuals to the appropriate resources. We have built strong relationships with other organisations, agencies, and service providers in our community, enabling us to connect people with the help they need.
We believe that everyone deserves access to the support and services that can improve their quality of life. By offering advice and assistance beyond emergency food relief, we aim to empower individuals to navigate through challenges and find sustainable solutions. We understand that sometimes people may need guidance and a listening ear, and we are here to provide that support.
Addressing Language Barriers in Our Community
In August 2023, we recognized that language barriers were hindering effective communication and access to services in our community. To address this issue, we implemented a linguistics service within our food bank. We enlisted the help of our volunteers who were fluent in various languages to provide assistance and support to those facing language barriers. These volunteers underwent a process of signing agreed paperwork and professional documentation, committing their time and expertise to help others.
Catering to diverse language needs: We understand the importance of catering to the diverse language needs of our community. In total, we offer support in 16 different languages, including a dialect called Cushty, predominantly spoken in the Mormon community. While this dialect is not read or written, it is a community-based language that we recognize and provide assistance for. Our aim is to ensure that no minority group is left behind, and we strive to meet the diverse linguistic needs of our community.
We effortlessly promote communication: By understanding and offering support in multiple languages, we have successfully improved communication and understanding within our community. Individuals who previously faced language barriers can now seek advice and assistance more easily, knowing that there are volunteers available who can bridge the language gap. This initiative has fostered a sense of equality, integrity, and inclusivity, as we recognize and respect the linguistic diversity present in Leicestershire and Rutland.
Continuing success in language-based communication: We are proud of the successful communication framework we have established within our community. It is a testament to our commitment to serving all individuals, regardless of their linguistic background. Moving forward, we will continue to prioritise language accessibility, ensuring that everyone can fully participate and benefit from the services we provide.
OUR ABCD PROJECT โ AT A GLANCE
At the heart of our food bank, our resources are primarily sourced from within our community. We rely on the support of local food banks, businesses, associations, schools, after-school clubs, and the incredible individuals in our midst. Our commitment lies in maintaining a strong bond with our community, as we believe that true change happens when we work together. We do not seek support in any monetary value from external associations, nor do we apply for grants. Instead, we foster a community-led approach where we exchange and share our resources to meet the needs of all.
Approach. Our approach to serving the community goes beyond the boundaries of our local area. While we remain rooted in our immediate community, we also reach out to the wider community, recognizing that our vision and values transcend postal codes. As a community-led initiative, we welcome anyone who shares our belief in independence and invite them to join us in this journey. We celebrate the contributions of our dedicated workers and stakeholders by coming together in various ways, such as attending events at different churches, groups, and genuinely being kind and helping each other. Our aim is to foster a sense of unity and inclusivity within our diverse community, ensuring that we collectively prioritise and uphold our powerful vision, values, and the mission of our community-led food bank.
Our primary aim is to enable the health and well-being of those who are most in need. We work closely with appropriate authorities, businesses, doctors, and schools to ensure that emergency referrals are made promptly and efficiently. Our instant referral system ensures that food parcels are provided within a two-hour period, providing security and reassurance for those in need and the professionals referring to us. We prioritise the integrity and professionalism of the referral process, allowing us to collaborate in a fast-acting and efficient manner.
We foster stewardship within our community by encouraging individuals to share our visions and understand our mission. Our goal is to enable our local society and economy to become more self-sufficient and sustainable. We do not provide food assistance for more than 6 to 12 weeks, as our focus is on empowering individuals to move forward and regain independence. We believe in pushing people in the right direction rather than allowing them to become reliant on our support.
Our food bank relies on contributions from various sources, including local businesses, Olio -Too Good To Go, networks, stakeholders, neighbours, parents, families and friends. They are the ones who generously contribute to our food supply and meet the needs of our community. This collaborative effort extends to other aspects of our community, including raising our children, and sharing our values, beliefs, and visions. Even our youngest volunteers, including my three-year-old son, understand and actively participate.
This reflects the strength of our work in shaping the values in our communities.
Our community-led initiative fosters a sense of community diversity and inclusivity.
We welcome volunteers from all backgrounds, including those from different countries, along with their families. This creates a nurturing and safe environment where we can raise our children with integrity and instil shared values. Our approach co-creates care and compassion within communities, as we are not bounded by postcodes, different backgrounds or ethnicities.
Our asset-based community development process has proven to be effective in identifying and connecting local assets that may have otherwise remained disconnected.
By recognizing the strengths and resources within our community, we are able to harness these assets to address various needs and challenges. As a volunteer-driven organisation, we attract people from all walks of life who seek advice, care, support, and guidance in areas such as health, well-being, raising children, and creating a positive environment. The diverse range of individuals and their unique perspectives and skills contribute to the success of our goals and visions.
Our community thrives on collaboration and collective citizenship. We actively engage with residents, associations, local schools, parents, and families, who contribute to our shared vision. This collective effort enhances the sense of belonging and ownership within our community, as everyone has a stake in its success. Our organisation operates seven days a week, from 8am to 6pm, ensuring accessibility and availability to meet the needs of community members. By employing a rotational system, different individuals can take on leadership roles and responsibilities, as we have collectively trained and shared our knowledge and resources.
We are proud to be a registered community-led organisation. This formal recognition not only provides credibility but also ensures that we adhere to regulations and guidelines.
It demonstrates our commitment to professionalism and accountability in serving our community.
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