ALDI DUDLEY - CINDER BANK

Formerly known as The Real Junk Food Project Birmingham, Incredible Surplus has been operating since 2014. Since then, we have redistributed over 1800 tonnes of waste food, cooked and served over 36,000 meals, helped 100 people achieve a Level 2 Food Safety Certificate, and seen dozens of volunteers move on into paid employment. All this would never have been possible without our amazing bank of volunteers and without the ongoing support of our donors and partner organisations. Our volunteers intercept food and other items that would otherwise go to waste from supermarkets, restaurants and other sources and redistribute them on a “Pay-As-You-Feel” basis. We run a series of community venues on a weekly across Birmingham and Solihull. We also ‘pop up’ at other venues. Please see www.incrediblesurplus.org for more info. The food we intercept has to be fit for human consumption and therefore we do not take food that has reached its Use By date, but we can take food past its Best Before date. Alongside food donations we also receive non-food items such as toilet rolls, household items, toys, and clothes, which we can redistribute across Birmingham at regular venues and via partner organisations. Our project is for everyone and we attract a wide range of people. In the main however, we feed people who are in food poverty; this includes the homeless, refugees, single parents, people with mental health problems. What is unique with us is that anyone can access the donated items or food on a Pay As You Feel basis. All give something back in return, whether this be a cash donation, their time, or skills. This system helps to prevent stigmatisation as well as fostering an enabling approach. Our project is predominantly run by volunteers. We have just a handful pf paid staff who are paid the living wage and volunteer extra hours on top. Many of our volunteers hold level 2 Food Hygiene Certificates, and a number of our volunteers have gained skills and qualifications and now have moved onto paid work. We're always on the look out for more donors/suppliers and volunteers!

We are hoping to increase access to high quality Information, Advice and Guidance to help residents make informed choices. Increase skills and learning abilities of residents to improve their employment and income generation. Increase links and strengthen citizenship by providing a sense of shared future amongst all residents. Increase the psychological and physical well being of residents.

Bilston People's Centre (BPC) is an exciting new community centre sparked by Excel Church. We facilitate and promote inclusive activities that meet the needs of local residents and empower them to achieve their social and economic goals. The purpose of Bilston People's Centre is to be a RESOURCE for the local community and to RESPOND to the needs of people within our local community. A number of activities run from BPC and all are open to everyone living in the local area and further afield. The aim of BPC is to become and safe space and focal point for the whole community of Bilston. In fulfilling this endeavour, BPC runs a number of projects and activities that respond holistically to the needs of our community. These include: • A weekly community kitchen to provide friendship, advice and support as well as a free hot nutritious meal to those experiencing situations of hardship. • A community advice project that supports individuals with good quality advice, information and support on a range of social welfare issues. • NHS health checks and healthy lifestyles support running weekly. Local residents are given support to quit smoking, maintain a healthy weight, overcome addictions and access referrals to more specialist services when required. • Excel Companions Luncheon for the over 60s.. A weekly get together for people in the area to share a meal together and take part in social activities to encourage friendship and overall well-being. The project particularly welcomes those who may not often get the opportunity to go out due to ill health, caring responsibilities and/or disability. • Noah's Ark Stay and Play. A twice weekly stay and play session for carers and their preschool aged children (newborn to 4 years old). An afternoon session runs on Wednesdays (1.30 - 3.00) and a morning session runs on Fridays (10.00 - 11.30). Children have the opportunity to sing, listen to a story, do art and craft and most importantly, PLAY! Refreshments and a light snack are provided to both carers and their children. • Well-being activities run by the charity Kaleidoscope Plus. An art and craft session runs every Tuesday 10 - 11 and a chair exercise class runs on Thursdays 11-12. All are welcome to attend and classes are free! We hope you'll come and explore our centre soon, and meet our friendly and welcoming group.