How three UK charities made a positive impact during the pandemic
“Whenever and wherever disaster strikes here in the UK, this country has a unique way of pulling together” - HRH The Duke of Cambridge, the launch of the Disasters Emergency Trust Coronavirus Appeal.
Whilst Covid-19 continues to be a difficult time for everyone, there are stories emerging of resilience, incredible generosity and kindness , many of which come from charities and the people that work and volunteer for them. So we thought we would shine a positive light by describing the impact that three amazing local and national charities have made in keeping people safe, happy and well during lockdown.
It’s a reminder that without inspiring organisations like these, many more people would have been left hungry, homeless, and alone during the pandemic. And how important it is that we at Work For Good continue to encourage the small businesses community to support them.
FareShare
FareShare is the UK’s national network of charitable food re-distributors. They take good quality, surplus food and deliver it to over 11,000 frontline charities and community groups. This is enough food to make over a million meals a week.
2019/2020 has been FareShare’s biggest year ever, with a huge increase in the number of community groups benefiting from their service.
The number of charities that they support has increased to 10,962 (850 new charities joined from March to May). The amount of food delivered to frontline charities contributed to 57.3 million meals, saving the UK charity sector £14.1 million. This is an amazing example of people pulling together to benefit others.
You can learn more about FareShare’s recent activity here.
This increase in activity is of course due to a significant increase in demand, with the number of charities applying to receive food from FareShare more than tripling in the last few months. Some of these charities e.g. homeless hostels and refuges are trying to operate as normal but are under increased strain as many are seeing a drop in voluntary income, staff shortages etc.
If you’d like to support FareShare through your business, set up a donation here.
The National Emergencies Trust
The National Emergencies Trust is an independent charity that collaborates with charities and other bodies to raise and distribute money at the time of a domestic disaster to those who have been affected and are in most need.
As of the 14th August, The National Emergencies Trust’s Coronavirus appeal has distributed an incredible £66.7 million of funds and supported over 9,200 organisations across the UK.
One of the organisations who have made use of this funding is the Portstewart Football & Community Club, who provide a lifeline to many vulnerable and isolated families and individuals in County Londonderry. Volunteers from the club have been providing packages containing essential food and household items to the elderly and vulnerable in the local community, supporting anyone who needs help.
Your business can support The National Emergencies Trust by pledging a donation here.
Only A Pavement Away
Only A Pavement Away (OAPA) is a London based charity helping vulnerable people (including the homeless, ex-offenders and veterans) find employment and enter careers in the hospitality industry.
Only A Pavement away have been determined not to let Covid-19 stop them from helping individuals experiencing homelessness or destitution.
Since March, they have launched a number of initiatives including their Hospitality Against Homelessness campaign and Charity Cookery Challenge with the award-winning chef Tom Aitkins.
Hospitality Against Homeless’ aim was to bring together the hospitality industry in a focused effort to provide immediate support to homeless people across London which included many hospitality industry colleagues suddenly in crisis due to the pandemic. The charity worked to help provide meals, kitchen facilities/equipment for hostels and accommodation. Through their campaign they were able to distribute donations worth over £500,000.
They also introduced the first charity jobs board of its kind the summer, geared specifically towards the hospitality sector.
If you’d like to support Only A Pavement Away through your business, set up a donation here.
