ALDI SHELDON

ln August 2007, ECE recieved a Certificate of Appreciation on behalf of 300,000 members of the IYF (International Youth Fellowship) for our contribution to the UK branch. In September 2008, Esther Community Enterprise was awarded certificates from the Lord Mayor of Croydon, for having carried out 100 hours of volunteering activities. On the 2 June 2011, ECE was awarded with theQueens Award for Voluntary Service, MBE. This is the highest award given to voluntary groups in the United Kingdom, and as such, is equivalent in status to the MBE. This prestigious UK National Honour recognises outstanding voluntary contributions and sets the national benchmark for excellence in volunteering, with the work of those awarded being judged to be of the highest standard. We aim to meet those who have needs in the local community by redistribution of food and other consumables donated from retailers. ECE makes a worthwhile collective response to the 3 tenets of sustainable development, namely social, economical and environmental needs. ECE forms a consortium with other charities, faith groups, projects and organisations. We have over 70 Project Co-ordinators. They manage and help to distribute the food/groceries and clothing items within the local communities across the UK, on behalf of ECE. We have sustained our social enterprise through the goodwill and hard work of over 400 drivers and countless volunteers, who contribute their time, transportation and finance to this worthy cause. Near sell by date food is collected on a daily basis from a range of supermarkets and other retailers and diverted to those that need it most ECE feeds in excess of 40,000 people per week and this is steadily on the increase as we expand across the UK

Oasis Hub Hobmoor is a community hub at the heart of South Yardley, working to build a stronger, healthier neighbourhood where everyone can flourish. We support local families, young people and residents through a wide range of projects including youth activities, community events, wellbeing programmes, and food support initiatives. We create safe, inclusive spaces where people can connect, access help, and feel a sense of belonging. A key part of our work is addressing food insecurity through community meals and food provision, helping ensure individuals and families have access to nutritious food while also reducing isolation. We most need support in the form of surplus food donations to sustain our food projects, as well as volunteers to help deliver activities, support events, and build relationships across the community. Donations and partnerships also help us grow our impact and reach more people in need.

Yardley House works with young vulnerable homeless people from the age of 16 to 25. We offer a safe place to stay and support them in moving on into their own tenancy. Every year over 1200 young people are housed in St Basils' 29 supported accommodation schemes. For some young people, this includes their young children as well. We have a range of prevention, accommodation and support services to help young people regain the stability they need to rebuild their lives, gain skills, training and employment and maintain tenancies. Our aim is always to help them overcome the 'cycle of homelessness' so that they can go on to experience a bright, and fulfilling future. We work to make sure they never return to a state where they are at risk of homelessness again.