B&Q Washington

In the North East alone over 800,000 tonnes of food waste is generated every year. That’s over a third of food produced for us to eat. We think that’s rubbish and we hope you agree. We use our cafe as a platform for campaigning and educating people about food waste. All members of the community are welcome and we get up to 600 people through our Cafe per week. We don’t see this food as ‘waste’, we see beautiful and valuable food, and we see the energy, time, fuel, water and other resources that have gone into making it, packaging it and getting it to our supermarket shelves. Join us in giving it value and stopping this waste of resources.

We are a community primary school based in Birtley, Gateshead. We are a school who has a higher than average number of pupils who are subject to pupil premium and free school meals. We pride ourselves in knowing our families, and serving the school community to address the social needs of our families as well as the education provision for the children. We provide a free breakfast club so that our children can come to school without the stigma of skipping breakfast, and feeling ready to learn and engage with their peers.

St. Chad’s Community Project is a registered Charity primarily working with disadvantaged families in the low income areas of Bensham, Saltwell, Teams and Central Gateshead, Tyne & Wear. We are a small independent charity with a big heart. We rely on grants and especially fundraising to deliver our much needed services. Our Mission Statement is ‘Supporting families to build a better Community’. There are many vulnerable families in Bensham and the surrounding areas of Gateshead: those lacking employment skills, having lost out at school; people in the BAME communities, sometimes unfamiliar with systems and services; those in need of practical, emotional and educational support and people whose lives are over-shadowed by severe poverty and or abuse. As the first point of contact for many vulnerable people, we help develop potential and improve the life chances of parents and children alike. We work alongside people, to meet their practical, social and emotional needs flexibly. St. Chad’s Community Project opened its’ doors over 31 years ago. Our goals have never changed: • Provide an accessible and inclusive service to the local community • Bring isolated people together • Build strength and belief in the community • Provide opportunities for personal and social development • Build confidence, create independence and challenge disadvantage • Empower individuals through providing opportunities for formal and informal learning We do this by offering a Family Support Outreach Service, helping families in difficult circumstances with not just advice and outreach support but with food, nearly new clothing, baby equipment and household goods. We also offer free courses, fun family orientated activities, football club for children, educational outings and we are also an Ofsted registered childcare service provider.