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.

Looprun is a response division and part of an independent social enterprise. This is more than food and is part of a supportive services platform to help people get sustained in their own individual way. With up to 94% success rate and seeing once those receiving free Looprun response bags to returning to stores as shoppers with baskets full. These are the impact stories created when all come together to do good for good. Service users are signposted to Looprun mostly from referrals including professionals in social and healthcare. Looprun provides free non perishables, perishable food, toiletries, and brand new clothing to people facing a temporary challenge. Whatever supermarkets, stores, and retailers can do is turned into a grateful donation to a neighbour in need. This is a response to real people in real-time. No food is banked providing a direct in and out service. We believe if the food is stored then a person in need is not getting any food, hence we provide an instant response and instant impact service. Looprun has access to professional volunteers who carry out a confidential support service to people in need. From homeless shelters, hostels, sheltered housing, care homes, soup kitchens and schools. This is a non voucher, free and confidential service. This means Looprun can reach more people in need with food donations. Anyone that receives a Looprun bag of essential food items is sustained thus creating a loop cycle. All are invited to become part of these sustainable stories in your local community. For further information and gallery access on the impact of Looprun please visit: Website: https://www.looprun-sciv.online/

(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