ALDI STALYBRIDGE

The anthony seddon fund covers the tameside area. we are primarily a charity providing peer support mental health projects. we facilitate a peer support mental health drop-in for customers / members of the public at our charity shop. we also facilitate a number of therapeutic and holistic therapies for people with mental health issues, and their family, friends and carers.

We recycle surplus food and help to support food poverty. During the pandemic we have increased the number of families we have supported from about 35 up to about 90 families a week totalling about 260 people. At different stages people have either been delivered a bag of groceries or have collected one on Thursdays. Alternate Tuesdays freshly cooked meals have been provided for the over 60s. During school holidays packed lunches have been made for school aged children. We are a Community Organisation with elected officers, a Constitution, full insurance and run by volunteers. Pre pandemic we met once a week on a Thursday. We offered soup, sandwiches or snacks made with some of the supermarket surplus food that we received and then visitors took home a bag of supplies; both perishables and non perishables, household and sanitary supplies. We also distributed bags of emergency essentials to people in crisis. We are called Bellies not bins and operate from the Carmel Church building in Hadfield. Our organisation has been going for 10 years. We provide an opportunity for people to meet and share some time together and support food poverty and reduce food waste. The volunteers have access to free training in food hygiene, first aid and manual handling which along with the work experience has helped several volunteers to get into employment. There is always someone on duty who has food hygiene training and supervises others in the safe handling and storage of food. As we are passionate about avoiding food waste we ask that people only take what they can use. If we have more than we need on any occasions we always ensure that we plan ahead by storing non perishables that are well within date or freezing items that are in date and can be frozen. Any surplus perishables will be made into soup or sent to other centres for distribution. Pre pandemic we offered a free hot meal for children and adults during the summer school holidays. This was aimed at helping those families who would normally receive free school meals. The meal was prepared by a qualified chef at her local cafe premises. If we are able to get more supplies we will be able to provide parcels to more people in need.

Breaking the waves foundation (BTWF)was founded in November 2020 after our founder had been assisting residents of Failsworth with food parcels, non essential food items and preloved clothing and toys since the beginning of COVID-19. Due to the demand we have now set up BTWF and are currently supporting families on a weekly basis. We also provided those families in financial hardship with gift parcels for their children to open on Christmas Day, this was with the support of Axiom and local community groups. Please feel free to look at our FB or Instagram page for further information/pictures. We wish to expand and not have to decline any request for support and the only way we can do this is by having continued and regular support from local businesses. We therefore would consider gifted items of food and toiletries. Thank you