Positively impacting the lives of our social housing tenants is a priority for us, particularly when it comes to supporting them through the cost-of-living crisis. The Food Club in Stockbridge Village has become an important food bank for some people in the local area. Since September 2022, sign-ups for the Food Club and referrals to the food bank have increased by 60%, with the club supporting around 8,000 local people and families in need.
The club is run by The Big Help project with local volunteers and ForHousing staff volunteering time to help run the service.
The club offers healthy food parcels with around £15 worth of food for £3.50, allowing people to pick up to ten items of their choice from a variety of groceries.
A ForHousing tenant, Kevin Waterworth, has benefited from using the food bank. He said: “I’d say to people just don’t be embarrassed, we are all in the same boat and everyone is struggling. Food prices have gone through the roof, you’d got to help yourself and these people are so kind and full of empathy.”
