ALDI STRETFORD

About Betel We are a Christian charity dedicated to helping men, women and families facing social exclusion, including homelessness, drug and alcohol abuse, and long-term unemployment. Our Mission At Betel UK, we're on a mission to transform lives through faith, community and hard work. We provide a safe and structured family-like environment, offering peer support to help individuals overcome the challenges they face. Our Approach Our unique approach doesn't rely on clinical programs or on-site doctors. Instead, we offer a supportive environment where residents are paired with brother- or sister-like mentors. For those in need, we work with medical specialists to provide medically assisted detox, followed by peer-led support. We provide a stable, consistent environment that promotes making daily choices towards freedom. Our Impact Today, Betel residences across the globe host more than 2,400 individuals seeking recovery, offering them a path to healing and independence. Our Locations We have several centers throughout England and Scotland, including Birmingham, Nottingham, Derby, Manchester, Hexham and Motherwell. Our residences are drug- and alcohol-free, providing training in life and employment skills, all at no cost. Our Redistribution Model We are a residency, and people join us to live for the duration of the 12 - 18 month programme. We provide all of the meals, drinks and snacks each day for our residents. That starts with breakfast, some men go out to work and take a packed lunch, some eat lunch on site, and then the evening meal. All drinks and snacks in between are provided as well. The men take turns and responsibility for preparing the meals for the community.

The Food Rescue Group at Manchester mobilises an active and committed network of student volunteers and community partners from across the city. Led by students from local universities, the group turns climate concern into practical action by addressing food waste at a grassroots level. Food waste is a major driver of climate change. Valuable resources such as land, water, and energy are consumed to produce food, yet large quantities are discarded and sent to landfill, where they generate methane, a greenhouse gas far more potent than carbon dioxide. By rescuing surplus food and redirecting it to people who need it, the group reduces environmental harm while supporting families and individuals across Manchester. The initiative works in partnership with local producers, retailers, and food businesses to ensure surplus food is used rather than wasted. These partnerships reduce disposal costs for businesses while delivering measurable environmental benefits. In Manchester, operations are powered by students from the University of Manchester, Manchester Metropolitan University, the University of Salford, the University of Bolton, and the Royal Northern College of Music, alongside members of the Hindu community and other local groups. Together, they demonstrate how student-led action can create meaningful climate impact. Pickup and distribution in Manchester are coordinated by Haojun Shuai and Ramanujam Nagarajan, who manage volunteer schedules, oversee collections, and ensure rescued food is delivered promptly and safely. Their leadership supports efficient operations while keeping the group’s work firmly rooted in student engagement and community values. Food is collected and redistributed within 15 minutes of pickup, ensuring freshness and removing the need for storage facilities. All items are carefully inspected to meet food safety standards, and any unsuitable food is disposed of responsibly to minimise environmental impact. Coordination is managed through a dedicated WhatsApp group, providing real-time updates on collection times, locations, and quantities. Through this work, the Food Rescue Group at Manchester diverts significant volumes of food from landfill, reduces greenhouse gas emissions, conserves valuable resources, and strengthens community connections. As the group continues to grow, it remains committed to showing how student-led climate action can drive real change, one meal, one volunteer, and one community at a time.

Southway Housing Trust are aiding in the fight against food poverty by giving support to those who need it most. The rise in food poverty and surge in the use of food banks has shown that many low income families are finding it difficult to feed and provide for their families. This has led to Southway's Quids In initiative to bring people together and tackle food poverty. Quids In operates 5 Food Club in South Manchester. Our membership has risen, since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, to around 280 low income and vulnerable households every week. This is an increase of nearly 50% so there are more challenges than ever before around getting enough food and we have waiting lists we’re trying hard to work through as quickly as possible. Usual operation: Members pay £3 and can then visit our small shop and choose around £15 worth of fresh, chilled and ambient food supplied by food redistribution charity Fareshare and other donations. The clubs also act as a means of referring members to other support services. We now have 5 shops supported by volunteers serving Chorlton, Burnage and Withington areas of Manchester.