Together

A group of Churches uniting to alleviate food poverty by operating "Top Up" Shops from various Churches in Ipswich through redistribution of surplus food and non food items. Also creating an access point for people to use the services of outside agencies such as debt advice, healthy living, and general wellbeing.

Bradford New Church Community Project originally set up during covid to help the most vulnerable have access to food. Our main aim is to reduce waste going to landfill unnecessarily, making sure those who are hungry are fed and warm whilst we are open, along with offering local people support with isolation, mental health and poverty Available daily is surplus foods, donated clothes, toys, household items, in all cases it’s suggested a donation of 10/20p item or £2/£3 per bag (in a pay as you feel manner) from a bunch of flowers to prams, toys to kettles, microwaves, shoes, coats, wellies etc if it’s in good condition we encourage regift, reuse and upcycle, helping people feel like they are contributing at an affordable amount rather than living on handouts We try promote there is a suggested amount even though it’s very low, we are then able to say it’s donation or free for those who cannot afford it but need it, in turn it limits people taking large amounts not needed, people can also donate more if they choose to and can afford it Volunteers (24 volunteers speaking 8 different languages help on various days) collect from stores at varying times using thermo/cardboard boxes dependant on types of foods given, within an hour all foods sorted into fridges, chest freezer or cupboards dependent on their types/labels, all foods are given out daily, inedible foods are cut up and composted, leftover foods are collected daily by a local farm given as chicken/pig feeds Available daily is, free drinks/toast/cereal/make their own meal using kettle, toaster, microwave or toastie maker provided, all people are welcome to sit/chat for as long as we are open each day no drink or food limits if it’s needed, they can have it Running at present free is Benefit Advice, Family Early Help, Evening Community Meal, Gardening club, Home Ed, BSL signing, Adult craft, Christmas Day dinner, Monthly day trips, Try The Train, Cook n Eat, Playgroup, Toy Appeal Partnership links offering weekly support - MIND, CFT Trust, CAB, Baby Bank, School uniform bank, Foodbank, local schools, Council, Skills House The surplus foods is a link into support, we are not a shop, we are a community group offering a whole host of support to help people feel part of society, offering volunteering/groups to lift people’s wellbeing, letting them show support whichever they can give it, in time; ideas; or money, any is enough There are around 500-700 people attending each month for their own reasons, this has become a valued life line for many people locally, mostly advertised by word of mouth All monies raised go towards costs of running fridges, freezers, heating, tea, coffee, sugar, bread, milk, volunteer travel costs All this starts from being able to offer surplus foods, giving people a reason to build the courage to walk through the door for the first time, leading to making friendships, creating community links, knowing support is available, in a safe, warm and non-judgemental environment

The Blaen-y-maes drop in centre is open 4 days a week, we have foodshare and a foodbank, every Tuesday and Friday, our foodbank is independent and rely on donations, to keep running it, and helping out families and individuals. We have an over 50s group which is run on a Thursday between 11am and 1pm.We run free family activities during half term, and free training courses.We are currently selling pre-loved clothing and bric a brac items from our community clothing shop, that have been donated from the community. The money we take at the community shop goes towards paying the running costs, which helps keep the centre open . We have an informal drop in centre where , Free tea and coffee is available for those who want a chat or informal advice and signposting. Our community shares with the rest of Wales in the recession and Government benefit cuts. We aim to address this issue by distributing free food through hampers that we receive monthly, food share items that we collect locally. Our service is self funding through recycling clothes we are run and staffed by volunteers and our building is provided by the local authority. We also have a litter picking hub, where the community can come snd help tidy up the area, on our litter picking events. A lovely community garden for anyone to drop by, help maintain the garden or come and have a chat and a cuppa.