God’s Provision in times of crisis

SpringSpring 20212021 NewsletterNewsletter

Hello and welcome to the Spring 2021 Newsletter. In these unprecedented times of Covid-19 everyone at New Hope Foodbank would like to thank all the members of the public, local businesses, schools and churches for their continued donations, prayers and support. The donations have been overwhelming.

The kindness of local people helping local people is so heart-warming. This pandemic has shown the unexpected can hit us suddenly with devastating consequences on people’s lives. Throughout the pandemic our community has stepped in to provide vital support to people left without enough money for food. Our wonderful volunteers at New Hope Foodbank have been working hard under extremely difficult circumstances to make sure support is there for people struggling to afford essentials.

If you or anyone you know is in food crisis please call Jacqui on 0793 995 0713

New Hope Community Church | Old Lane | Halfway | S20 3GZ Spring 2021 Newsletter

As a result of your support in 2020:- Since the foodbank opened in December We are being asked lots of questions 2012 260,412 meals have now been about the impact of coronavirus on people delivered to local clients in food crisis needing foodbanks and the support New thanks to community support. Hope Foodbank will be able to provide. 1,525 32,004 This is an unprecedented challenge People accessed the Meals were delivered to and we don’t yet know how things will service. clients in food crisis. unfold. It is possible maybe probable that Reasons for New Hope Foodbank will face a far more crisis included: increased demand as people lose income That equates to going back into the • Bereavement of partner at the same time as food donations drop approxiamately: local community. • Job losses and furlough due off or volunteers are unavailable, due to £51,850 measures rightly put in place to slow down to Covid-19 • Free school meals the spread of infection. • Introduction of Universal We would also like to remind parents Credit (clients waiting 5 weeks and schools that any child entitled to free + without any money) school meals can be referred for a school • Benefit delay meals food parcel during the school • Illness both physical & mental holidays. • Family breakdown through New Hope Foodbank sometimes runs Domestic Violence short on certain items but due to the generosity of our local community we do have a good stock so far. We would like to encourage the public to maybe check with the foodbank to see what items are needed most as the parcels are packed in a specific way to provide 3 meals a day for 7 days per family member. I would like to give a big shout out to our wonderful volunteers who have been at the front line during the pandemic sorting food into date order, packing food parcels and delivering them to clients homes. The foodbank has continued throughout the pandemic well done everyone involved and thank you.

Some of the generous Christmas donations donated by our local community. THE FURNITURE PROJECT CASE STUDY 1 AUTUMN 2020 CASE STUDY 2, 2020 God’s provision In 2016 a referrer from Aston came to (Name changed to protect identity), We were approached by a referrer from in times of need. ask for a food parcel for a lady who had Jane had fled from a domestic violence Chesterfield Borough Council homeless fled domestic violence. She observed situation. She had been moved into bed dept. A young homeless man who was that we had some toys and a few bits & breakfast accommodation due to now disabled due to having had his right leg and pieces left over from a Yard sale being homeless as well, Jane very quickly amputated had been given a 1 bedroomed and asked if she could take them for the family. Apparently they used to be able went into depression and was in and out of ground floor flat he had been in temporary to get white goods from the council for the mental health unit at Chesterfield Royal accommodation and wasn’t expected to be clients but that had now stopped. Hospital. accommodated so quickly, there was no Not long after we had a bed donated that Pathways one of our homeless referrers provision for any furniture or white goods had only been used once and we were called to ask if the Furniture Project could except for a kettle, toaster and microwave. able to put it to good use by donating it help Jane out as she had been given a 1 to a family in need, not long after this an bedroomed flat, she had very little personal New Hope Furniture Project was able invitation came from Centre Parcs to pick belongings due to fleeing her previous to provide and deliver free of charge:- a up all the furniture and white goods from chalets that were being refurbished, and relationship. double bed & mattress, bedding, bedside so the Furniture project was started. cabinet settee, coffee table, TV fridge, We are now on average supplying 7 The flat was completely unfurnished and pots, pans crockery, cutlery and towels. families / individuals per month who have no carpet except for a settee and a cooker. either fled domestic violence and/or been Jane lived in her flat like that for a week homeless to turn a house into a home. We until the Furniture Project helped to make are planning to extend the area covered her flat into a home. We were able through in 2021. generous donations to support and provide Since the beginning of the pandemic we her free of charge with:- a microwave, have had some short term funding which has enabled us to increase the amount fridge, toaster, kettle, crockery, cutlery, of clients we are able to assist by inviting utensils, a double bed, mattress, bedding, on more referrers with domestic violence bedside cabinets, wardrobe, drawers, figures on the increase due to lockdown coffee table, TV & stand, lamps, rugs, it is essential to keep Furniture Project curtains, mirror, and pictures. going we would appreciate donations of good quality furniture and white goods. Please call the foodbank number to arrange a collection. The Freedom Programme.Support group for women

Support group for women from any area. from any area. www.freedomprogramme.co.uk

The “Freedom Programme” was rolled domestic violence due to forced coexistence, out on 3rd September 2020 at New Hope economic stress and fears about the virus. Community Church, Halfway. Increased isolation could create an escalation The programme is a rolling 12 week in abuse, where those who are living with an domestic violence course aimed at abusive partner or family member, may be empowering women who are experiencing or less likely to ask for help. have experienced domestic abuse. The course is presently being run at New The programme runs every Thursday Who is it for? Hope Community Church, Halfway, Sheffield 10am – 12pm & 1pm – 3pm. We have 2 fully For women who are and provides information that will help certified trained facilitators to put you at ease experiencing or have women to understand abuse. Key elements in a safe and confidential environment. of the 12 week programme include the previously experienced following. domestic abuse. Where to find us? • Helping to recognise the beliefs held by • Do you feel afraid of your partner? abusive men. New Hope Community Church, • Is your partner excessively jealous Old Lane, Halfway, S20 3GZ The aim of the • Assist you to meet other women with and possessive? similar life experiences. • Do you feel you are walking on programme is to; • Illustrate the effects of domestic violence eggshells to avoid making your partner angry or aggressive? • Provide information that will help you on children. • Does your partner blame you for understand abuse. • Help build confidence and self-esteem. everything? • Help you to recognise the beliefs held by • Help recognise future abusers and move • Does your partner pressure you to abusive men. on to abuse free lives. have sex when you don’t want to? • Assist you to meet other women with • Is your partner constantly criticising similar life experiences. During the Covid-19 Pandemic and the you and putting you down in front of • Illustrate the effects of domestic violence on others? children. subsequent lockdowns, statistics have • Does your partner tell you want to • Help build your confidence and self-esteem. shown that there has been a sharp rise in wear, who to see and where you can • Help you recognise future abusers and reported incidents of domestic violence. or cannot go? move on to abuse free lives. Domestic abuse organisations have • Provide the information in a confidential observed increased household tension and and safe environment.

To discuss the programme in confidence call Jacqui at the Freedom Project on 07309 858 955 or email [email protected] Spring 2021 Newsletter TheThe qualityquality ofof Volunteer Opportunities youryour mentalmental healthhealth • Volunteering in the • Volunteering in the Foodbank, sorting food furniture warehouse. donations. (Monday only, affects the quality • Volunteer driver for affects the quality 10am – 1pm) furniture warehouse. • Volunteering in the ofof youryour life.life. Foodbank sorting charity shop donations. For more volunteer • Volunteering in the information contact charity shop. Michelle on: • Volunteering in the 07568 197 464 coffee shop.

Although we are continually blessed with donations for the Food Bank, Struggling with anxiety or depression? Like to learn about mental health? there are items we seem to run out of more than others. Finding life difficult? Talk to people who can help? So if you feel that you would like to help feed a local family in crisis or help someone set up a new home due to having been homeless or a victim of domestic violence, it would be Isolated? Awaken your own resources? really helpful if you could donate from the list below. Do you find it difficult to talk? Start living again?

Basic Toiletries Mens & Ladies Food Learn to help others? Toilet Rolls Bolognaise/Curry Sauce Toothpaste / Toothbrushes Tinned Macaroni Cheese / Ravioli / Shampoo / Conditioner Spaghetti Bolognaise. Shower Gel Tinned Meat Curries / Bolognaise Deodorant Packet / Pot Noodles Soap Tinned Carrots / Potatoes / Peas / GROW is anonymous, confidential, Nappies / Baby Wipes Sweetcorn non-denominational and open to all. Tinned Hotdogs / Part Baked Bread / GROW has no fees or dues. Cleaning Products Instant Mash Washing Up Liquid / Dish Cloths / Sponges Puddings / Tinned Fruits Kitchen / Bathroom Cleaner Coffee Groups held in Halfway. Help is Washing Powder / Liquid Sugar available. Call today 0774 201 5864 Washing Conditioner UHT Milk or email [email protected] World Community Mental Dilute Juice / Cartons Health Movement Spring 2021 Newsletter

Acknowledgements to local businesses, churches Hello friends, and schools for both food monetary donations 2020:- It’s sad to say that we need foodbanks but every day we find people who are genuinely suffering a food crisis as a family or individual. Last year Aston Hall Church of School Emerald Makeup & Lashes alone we supplied over 32,004 meals out of our council donated facility Evolution Power Tools based in which is funded day to day only by small private School Swallownest Baptist Church donations from kind local folk and our small charity shop at the church. Mosborough Methodist Church Holmedale Infant School Camms Infant School Howdens Joinery In 2021 we face difficulties such as: Clarke & Partners Killamarsh Junior School • Being able to afford regular bin collections; costs approx. £1,000 per year CPL Industries Killamarsh Chemist • Paying utility bills; costs around £2,000 per year Direct Plastics Killamarsh Methodist Church • Having suitable transport for delivering the food and the furniture packs; Oliver Laws Vehicle Services Kiveton Park Meadows School a new vehicle & running costs would cost around £5,000 per year Oracy Little Town Pantry Eckington School St.Giles Church of England School Eckington Fenton Street Carols In many cases these needy people, having passed strict criteria to receive help and a referral from an approved agency, are in a And to everyone who called in and donated. desperate position. They may have mental health issues, physical A huge thank you! health problems, had suffered domestic violence or be recovering from a terrible bereavement, any of which leaves them numb, terrified and unable to function. Charity Shop Coffee Shop What are we asking you? Unfortunately due to Covid-19 our charity Our coffee shop has also been a victim of • Would you stand with us and make a regular donation or even a shop has been mostly closed in 2020, we the pandemic and had to close in March small one off amount to help the needy in this community? would like to thank all our regular customers 2020. We are hopeful that it will reopen • Help cover the cost of the bins? and donators for their on-going support and when it is deemed safe to do so. We • Help out with transport costs? patience. The donations that people bring can’t wait to see all our regular customers in are sold in order to bring in a revenue to again and also meet new ones. Please don’t think someone else will step up and help – call me now support both the foodbank and the furniture warehouse with stock and core costs. on 07939950713 or email me at This year due to the lockdowns our funds [email protected] are greatly lower that we would have usually anticipated. Thank you Jacqui Gavins Please give us a call on 0114 2472994 New Hope Community Project Co-ordinator to check opening hours. God’s Provision in times of crisis

Help us help others

Your continued support is much appreciated, there are many ways in which you can support the food bank by: Donating your time Donating white goods as a volunteer Donating money Donating food Visiting our coffee shop Donating furniture Donating household items Visiting our charity shop

New Hope Community Church Online Church Service Sunday 11am