ALDI HOLBEACH

We have paths and safety barriers to erect around the Refuge and we would like to build larger aviaries for the owls and birds of prey. We are also wanting to build a new rehabilitation room for the animals that come into our care.

We work with referral partners e.g. social services, CAB etc. and provide emergency food parcels for people who have financial or other problems, or who are on very low incomes and are unable to feed themselves or their families. We need surplus food from donors to help us to fulfil this need. We also need volunteers to assist in the foodbank, either talking to clients or working behind the scenes. We are open every Wednesday 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and every Thursday 10 a.m. to noon but can provide emergency parcels outside those hours on request. We also operate a Community Store which offers membership at £5 p.a. and issues a membership card. Members can then purchase a "basket" of food and other essential items at heavily discounted prices on a monthly basis. Everything sold in the Store is purchased using charity funds, we do not sell donated items. This means we need financial donations as we have no guaranteed funding. Membership is currently limited to 100 as we do not have the resources to handle more. Some members have previously been foodbank clients and others identified by working with other local organisations to offer help to those who may not qualify as foodbank clients but are still in need.

‘Hub In – Hub Out’ is the first community project under the banner of ‘Project St. Thomas. ‘Hub In – Hub Out’ was officially launched in June 2022 and is delivered by community volunteers using facilities and venues provided by partners with a social mission. Together we will take food to those most in need. We offer the opportunity for those who wish to make small donation to do so, on a “what you can afford” basis. For those who cannot afford a donation, food is provided free of charge. We always take time to talk and befriend people helping to break down the barriers that divide our community. The wider projects under Project St Thomas now include a range of activities and support for all ages. Some of our new projects include setting up a "budgeting and money advice session" for 15-20 year olds. School don't teach this to children and so many young people join adulthood without knowing the basics of good money management. We want to change this and really give our young people lots of skills. We are also currently setting up aYouth club for primary age children, based around reading and also a senior youth club, Teen Haven to give the older children a safe space for young people o thrive. And we are currently working to set up a weekly social coffee morning which will also incorporate our "Tom's Baby Bank" where young families will be able to buy good quality, cheap items for their young family while they are experiencing the burden of the cost of living. We aim to develop this to offer more items than clothing as we build. The coffee morning element is crucial to bring social opportunities to all that join us and we hope that from the coffee morning/ baby bank that some intergenerational activities may also develop. We also distribute surplus collected food to a range of people, who benefit from them including direct support to those at crisis point and also sheltered site across the whole district to support elderly residents to access food essentials. Exciting times ahead for Project St Thomas.