ALDI HARTLEPOOL

Now nominated for the Kings Award for a Volunteer Organisation (result and outcome of our nomination as yet unknown but to be made in Nov 2026) and winners of best community organisation in Hartlepool 2026. Meals on Wheels Hartlepool established 2020 provides home-delivered daily cooked meals at greatly subsidized cost to very elderly, immobile and those suffering from dementia who can no longer shop or cook for themselves. Meals are delivered pre-plated ready for microwave reheating by carers or visiting family members. We also provide a daily opportunity for a little chat and a well-being check. Our costs are subsidized by involving over 20 unpaid volunteers who help home-deliver and assist in our 5-Star hygiene rated kitchen. The service employs two full time people. Our service greatly supports busy/working relatives who struggle to provide consistent daily meals due to work or other commitments but want to know their loved one/s are eating varied & healthy food. How we identify users? We work closely with medical practices based across Hartlepool and the NHS team at North Tees Hospital. Elderly being released back to their homes and who could struggle with meals are made aware of our scheme. We offer a registration process to identify individual needs. There is a small charge to cover kitchen staff and kitchen rental. There is no charge for delivery as this is carried out by our volunteers. Surplus food is added to the meal offering we make to the meal service and acts as a complimentary element of the plate food variety

We operate a children's role-play center tailored for ages 0-8, with a commitment to supporting families facing financial constraints. Many families struggle to afford outings to play centers due to financial limitations. Traditional play centers often come with hefty admission fees, and once inside, children often request additional treats and snacks, further burdening families financially. At our center, we aim to alleviate this strain by offering affordable entry fees and reasonably priced refreshments. Additionally, we host special sessions where children can enjoy complimentary meals, ensuring that every child can participate regardless of their family's financial situation. Our goal is to create a welcoming and inclusive environment where all children can engage in imaginative play without financial barriers.

As an award winning, specialist by and for Black and minoritised community national charity, our vision is to eliminate forced marriage, honour-based abuse and female genital mutilation within society. To change attitudes and beliefs for future generations to break the cycle of abuse and to empower victims and survivors to make their own choices. The Halo Project was established in 2011 in response to a gap in service provision, for Black and minoritised women and girls experiencing or at risk of domestic and sexual abuse and violence. Since launch we are proud to have supported over 3000 women from over 49 different ethnicities, we have helped them to move from a situation of untenable violence to a life free from abuse. The Halo Project strive to support survivors through their programmes to ensure survivors are believed, protected, supported and empowered to live independent and fulfilled lives.