Sainsbury's Wombourne

The Good Shepherd has had a presence in Wolverhampton more than 50 years. During that time we have adapted and changed our services to meet the needs of our service users but food has always been at the heart of what we do. We believe that the food element of our charity is the magnet which draws in those struggling from financial poverty and hardship then once trust is formed, we can help people address other issues to improve their health and wellbeing. Our vision for the whole charity is by offering clients a wide range of services which they can use whilst attending for a meal or take away will remove barriers for vulnerable groups. We are targeting agencies that support economic self-sufficiency, relieve or prevent homelessness and improve health and wellbeing. Our main client group is rough sleepers and those who are vulnerable or in poverty as well as families in need. With the food service underpinning that help and support, tackling food waste is also something we are passionate about to ensure food doesn’t go to landfill. We have regular suppliers but are also heavily reliant on donations from the public and charitable funds to ensure we can provide wholesome meals - which our clients would otherwise not receive - to meet their daily need. The essence of the Good Shepherd is that providing food and hospitality brings in the most entrenched individuals to our services and helps us breaks barriers and gain trust which in time helps them open up on many issues. It is then we can start to make referrals and get the support needed for them to make positive and sustained changes to their lives. As mentioned, at the Good Shepherd we are passionate about reducing the amount of food which goes to waste. Over a six-month period during 2020 we prevented 25 tonnes of quality food going to waste, instead ensuring it was used within our food service and passed on to our clients. Helping us reduce the amount of food waste are the close and positive working relationships we have developed with food distributors. We work with many local restaurants and supermarkets to ensure we can make use of their surplus stock or stock approaching sell-by date that they know they will not be able to use. We served over 23,000 hot meals in 2023 driven by the aim of providing good and healthy food so that we know those accessing our services were receiving at least one good, nutritious meal each day.

We are a voluntary organisation that consists of about 40 + volunteers. We are a diverse bunch and always ready to welcome any one who would like to join us , especially if they can deliver meals to our guests on Thursdays. FoDK is a community kitchen which is recognised by Wolverhampton Council and operates out of a private home. We have also recently gained the Kings Award for Voluntary Service. Two of our volunteers went to London and all of us received the award in Birmingham. Our guests said it was nice that the work we do is seen by others as valuable. When the lockdown started we wondered how we were going to serve our guests, who used to come to a church hall for their meal. We usually served between 50-70 guests. It was decided we would deliver the food as we were no longer allowed to meet inside. In April 2020 we took out 6 meals and gave the rest to a local night shelter. We are currently (May 2025) serving 970+ guests every Thursday. We serve individuals, couples, mixed occupancy housing groups, families ,we feed over 480 children and we send a family bag of fresh produce donated by local supermarkets, mainly given by local Tesco, Aldi and Sainsbury stores. When there is not always very much surplus to offer, we try to supplement with food bought via FareShare. We run entirely on donations and grants, there are no paid staff and all monies raised go on feeding those in need across our city. We would like to send out extra food bags to all our guests if we could and constantly look for partners to help us. Presently, only families with children are receiving the surplus we collect. However many individuals and couples would benefit from a little extra too. We take referrals from a variety of routes, from schools, social workers, other charities, police, or self-referral. On our website www.FODK.org you can find our contact details. We also are always on the look out for new volunteers. We are a diverse group of volunteers and welcome everyone. We need drivers with their own transport or others who will shop, collect, prepare, fundraise. We also have some work experience students from local schools and care leavers. Whatever your strengths we can use your talents. We do have a formal constitution and our own bank account and are recognised by Wolverhampton City Council as a Community Kitchen. It has been inspected and received a grade 5 Food Safety Rating. Several volunteers also have their Level 2 Food Safety and Hygiene award. We were at St Andrew’s church as a place of welcome, on Mondays, this is now kept open by the church for us, 9.30-12.00 ( not Bank Holidays) Andy’s Place of Welcome runs Fridays 9.30-12.00. We are trying to bring a sense of community back, a place to meet and talk, various activities will be available and agencies such as health, education , local groups invited in to help share local information. Small steps in these continuing difficult times.

(LCH) formally known as Heaven’s Kitchen has been in existence for 15 years, providing meals and practical one-one support to the homeless of the Backcountry. (LCH) has been run by volunteers and managed by the Centre Manager of The Lighthouse Centre charity. It became apparent that a change of Aims, Objectives, and Methods was required and therefore the project has been repurposed to enhance and focus the project back onto the clients’ changing needs. It became apparent, that the same clients returned year after year and therefore, a change in service was required to support clients out off their chaotic life styles. Due to economic and energy crisis, the (LCH) will become available to more and users from different background. Aims & Objective 1. (LCH) is a centre that is a place of acceptance, empowerment and change where clients will be given the help, skills, and the confidence to resolve their damaging issues. 2. (LCH) aim to provide a safe, welcoming and non-judgemental environment that will strive to provide both immediate short-term responses to basic needs and long-term solutions to more deep-rooted problems. 3. (LCH) on a basic level we will continue to be a place of social contact, with services such as food provision, drop in, emergency clothing and bedding if required. (LCH) will work with other third sector and statutory providers to provide profession intervention when required or requested. 4. (LCH) aims to be a centre where we listen to our clients and where they will be central to the planning and provision of services with an increasing focus on client participation in the decisions that affect their lives. We want to emphasise and encourage the development of our client’s skills and abilities, to focus on what they can achieve, and to promote a culture where our clients can ultimately learn from each other and move on. 5. (LCH) as an organisation we recognise that we must commit to a process of continual planning and adaptation of our service to meet our clients’ needs. 6. (LCH) in present economic/energy crisis will serve as a Warm Hub, in partnership with Dudley CVS Winter Warm Map. The following services are available at (LCH) Housing support service – 1:1 housing advice and support seeking emergency, local authority, housing association and private rented accommodation Benefits advice – 1:1 session with our Client Empower Lead, looking at all benefits including housing benefits. We can assist with form completion. We can also assist with applying for emergency cash payments and trust funds. Recovery service (substance misuse) Emergency clothing and shoes Food packages – meals available Activity/social groups for clients Skilling Up activities, e.g money management, personal hygiene, eat well, cooking Warm Showers Drop in Café Provide access to counselling and emotional support groups Friendship A Warm Place to sit. New Opening Times (LCH) will now open Monday, from 4:00pm -7pm provide Tea/Coffee and cake