Lidl Birmingham Blackheath

Our vision is to continue to develop the Helping Hand Community project and build it into a truly community group where everyone can be involved and make a difference. All funds will be reinvested into the project, enabling fundraising events to be held and mobile food banks to be set up in various areas.  We have built strong relationships with a variety of organisations, community groups and local hostels and shelters to ensure surplus food goes to the people in most need. Officially formed in 2023, we have been serving the community since 2018. Over the years, we have built relationships and work with fantastic organisations to help those who need it the most.

(LCH) formally known as Heaven’s Kitchen has been in existence for 15 years, providing meals and practical one-one support to the homeless of the Backcountry. (LCH) has been run by volunteers and managed by the Centre Manager of The Lighthouse Centre charity. It became apparent that a change of Aims, Objectives, and Methods was required and therefore the project has been repurposed to enhance and focus the project back onto the clients’ changing needs. It became apparent, that the same clients returned year after year and therefore, a change in service was required to support clients out off their chaotic life styles. Due to economic and energy crisis, the (LCH) will become available to more and users from different background. Aims & Objective 1. (LCH) is a centre that is a place of acceptance, empowerment and change where clients will be given the help, skills, and the confidence to resolve their damaging issues. 2. (LCH) aim to provide a safe, welcoming and non-judgemental environment that will strive to provide both immediate short-term responses to basic needs and long-term solutions to more deep-rooted problems. 3. (LCH) on a basic level we will continue to be a place of social contact, with services such as food provision, drop in, emergency clothing and bedding if required. (LCH) will work with other third sector and statutory providers to provide profession intervention when required or requested. 4. (LCH) aims to be a centre where we listen to our clients and where they will be central to the planning and provision of services with an increasing focus on client participation in the decisions that affect their lives. We want to emphasise and encourage the development of our client’s skills and abilities, to focus on what they can achieve, and to promote a culture where our clients can ultimately learn from each other and move on. 5. (LCH) as an organisation we recognise that we must commit to a process of continual planning and adaptation of our service to meet our clients’ needs. 6. (LCH) in present economic/energy crisis will serve as a Warm Hub, in partnership with Dudley CVS Winter Warm Map. The following services are available at (LCH) Housing support service – 1:1 housing advice and support seeking emergency, local authority, housing association and private rented accommodation Benefits advice – 1:1 session with our Client Empower Lead, looking at all benefits including housing benefits. We can assist with form completion. We can also assist with applying for emergency cash payments and trust funds. Recovery service (substance misuse) Emergency clothing and shoes Food packages – meals available Activity/social groups for clients Skilling Up activities, e.g money management, personal hygiene, eat well, cooking Warm Showers Drop in Café Provide access to counselling and emotional support groups Friendship A Warm Place to sit. New Opening Times (LCH) will now open Monday, from 4:00pm -7pm provide Tea/Coffee and cake

Our Manna House Pantry, run entirely by volunteers, officially opened on 2nd December 2019 and is a registered charity No 1188732. It aims to help local families in need, relieving and helping to prevent poverty by means of food provision and is a franchise of the national Your Local Pantry network. Our Pantry is a membership-based food club and sources its food from supermarket surplus and donations to help local people struggling to meet their bills for as long as they need help. Our members, currently just under 200, can visit the Pantry once a week for a fee of £4. This enables them to choose food items to the value of around £25. In addition members can choose free fresh produce e.g. fruit, vegetables and bakery items for no additional cost. The membership fee is used by the Pantry to meet running costs e.g. utility bills and purchase top-up food stocks as required.