Lidl Hexham

All food we collect will be used to help feed the 30+ men and women who live within our community. Betel of Britain is a group of caring, not-for-profit Christian communities helping people to regain control of their health, work potential and independence.

Helping bring down the cost of the weekly food shop for the people of Hexham, to help provide food for all, especially those who might be struggling. Located on the edge of the East End estate, we help lots of local households save money and reduce food waste. Our members hear about us through word of mouth, social media, leafletting and referrals (e.g. local job centre). Members pay a £5 annual fee which entitles them to visit up to 3 times per week to buy groceries at a fraction of their usual cost - enabling them to afford a good diet and essentials. One shop costs £4 (as of 4th April 2022), and includes several shelf items, 1 non-food item, chilled and frozen food, and a bakery item and any clearance stock available. Members can also buy little extras (e.g. milk, eggs and toilet roll) on top of their standard shop. With various suppliers, we rely heavily on surplus stock from supermarkets, as well as stock donations from businesses and sponsors. We also rely on financial donations to help cover running costs. We have a Pay It Forward scheme so strangers can pay ahead for another member's shop who might be struggling. The grocery offers members access to affordable food at a time that's difficult for many. Most of the shop's staff are volunteers who want to help their local community. We're a charity initiative which was begun by The Message Trust, whose first shop in Manchester opened in 2020 in response to the Covid pandemic impact on food poverty.

We empower people with learning differences and mental health needs to build confidence, skills and independence through supported work and training in real social enterprises. At Hextol, we create meaningful opportunities for people to learn, work and thrive. Through our post and packing service, gardening projects, café and warehousing activities, we provide structured, supportive placements that develop practical skills, teamwork and self-confidence. Our approach is person-centred and purposeful. Every individual we support is given the chance to contribute, grow and achieve their potential in a safe and inclusive environment. Whether preparing mailings, tending gardens, serving customers in our café, or supporting logistics, each activity provides real-world experience and a sense of pride and belonging. We work with adults who may face barriers to employment and social participation, helping them build independence and improve wellbeing. By creating opportunities to learn on the job, we support people to take positive steps towards employment, volunteering or further training. How the Neighbourly community can support us We warmly welcome support from local businesses and volunteers. In particular, we are looking for: - Gardening donations – tools, equipment, plants, bulbs and seeds to support our gardening projects and training activities - Surplus goods or materials that can be used in our work-based learning settings - Volunteer supervisors to help guide and support sessions across our social enterprises - Professional skills volunteering (e.g. marketing, social media, events management) Your support helps us continue providing life-changing opportunities for people who need them most, while strengthening connections within our local community.