ALDI HARTLEPOOL

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.

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

Fibro-Connect TS is a Teesside-based charity supporting people living with fibromyalgia, chronic pain conditions, poor mental health, social isolation and financial hardship. We are based mainly from our charity shop and warm hub on York Road in Hartlepool, while also running support groups and sessions across Stockton and Redcar. Our charity shop is more than just a shop. It is a safe and welcoming space where people can come for support, friendship and understanding. Many of the people we help are unable to work due to long-term illness and chronic pain, so we try to ease some of the pressure by providing low-cost essentials, food donations when available, wellbeing activities and emotional support. We offer free support groups, one-to-one sessions, creative activities such as diamond art and rock painting, and annual trips to places like Whitby and Scarborough to help reduce isolation and improve wellbeing. People find us through word of mouth, social media, healthcare professionals, local organisations and community referrals. All of our services are completely free as we never want finances to prevent someone accessing support. We rely heavily on donations, grants, local sponsors and our amazing volunteers to continue supporting the community. We are mainly seeking food surplus support through Neighbourly as we have seen a growing number of people needing help with food and essentials due to the cost of living crisis. Access to regular food donations would make a huge difference to vulnerable individuals and families using our services. We would also appreciate guidance towards suitable grants and funding opportunities to help us continue our work. We work closely with local councils, community organisations and local businesses, including Lab Gym Hartlepool where we are currently trying to secure funding opportunities for gentle exercise and wellbeing support for people living with fibromyalgia. Our work has been featured in Hartlepool Life and we have photographs available showing our support groups, volunteers, community activities and outreach work. Food donations would always be distributed free of charge through our warm hub, support sessions and charity shop to vulnerable members of the local community.