|
Food banks are primarily aimed at families and individuals that are in desperate need. This can include people on low incomes, or those who are struggling to buy food and essentials, which also includes asylum seekers, immigrant workers and refugees.
Below are details of food banks that are able to be accessed by people in living in the Rotherham East Ward.
Rotherham Food Bank
The food bank is based in central Rotherham and requires a referral from an agency, who will provide you with a voucher to collect food.
No one in our community should have to face going hungry, that’s why Rotherham Food Bank provide three days of nutritionally balanced emergency food and support to local people who are referred to them in crisis.
They are part of a nationwide network of food banks, supported by The Trussell Trust, working to combat poverty and hunger across the UK.
If you or anyone you know needs an emergency food parcel from the food bank, please contact Rotherham Citizens Advice on 0808 278 7911.
If you feel you would like to help the food bank by donating, there are several drop off points across the borough.
To find out more about how to access the food bank, or how to help, please visit their website the Rotherham Food Bank website.
|
Liberty Church Food and Baby Bank
The Food and Baby Bank operated by Liberty Church provides food parcels to families and individuals in need.
They support families either with emergency essential supplies like nappies and formula milk, or through a newborn baby pack that includes everything a baby needs for a healthy and safe start. Ongoing support and pastoral care is also offered to people in need.
The Food and Baby Bank requires an agency referral, from organisations including Rotherham Council, Rotherfed and REMA.
The food and baby bank operates from several locations and there is a base close to Rotherham Town Centre.
For more information, or to find out how you can make a donation, please visit the Liberty Church website.
|
Critters Kitchen Pet Food Bank
The main aim of Critters Kitchen is to keep pets and their families together.
Founded in 2021, Critters Kitchen has been working hard with the help of volunteers to support individuals in Rotherham.
Their work is dedicated to funding and offering pet food & accessory parcels and they strive to inspire and improve the lives of those who need assistance.
To find out more about Critters Kitchen and to access their services or offer support please visit their website or telephone 07988 357167.
|
Citizens Advice Rotherham and District offers free and impartial advice and support covering a range of topics including;
- Energy advice
- Debt advice
- Cancer advocacy
- Immigration
- Benefits
They also provide referrals to other services including food banks.
You can contact them in a number of ways including by telephone or online via webchat. For more information please visit their website.
Making Our Money Go Further
Rotherfed is working in partnership with Citizens Advice Rotherham and District to change the way communities think and talk about managing money. They are offering community-led solutions to the issues that matter most to local people.
Through community support delivered, this project will provide the tools people need to deal with the issues that are most important to them. It’s about supporting local people to make real change happen.
The 3-year project started in January 2021 and operates across several areas in Rotherham, including Masborough, Canklow, Springwell and Middle Eastwood.
The project aims to help people reduce their expenditure, increase their income, and renegotiate outgoings.
Activities you could get involved in include:
- Skill transfer sessions
- One to ones
- Group training
- Ways to cut energy consumption
- Utility switching
- Simple home insulations
- Skills swaps
- Cost effective ideas to eat well
- Benefit checks
- Creating food bank outlets
- Referrals to support organisations (Food Banks, Credit Unions)
- Charity grants
- Anti-loan shark campaigns
- Community food gardening
- Support to access statutory services such as from job centres, colleges, and Rotherham Council
For more information visit the RotherFed website, or by calling Claire Stinson on 07398 013796 or Karen Jay on 07398 013824.
Download the flyer here
|
People aged 50 years and older, residents in care homes for older people, those aged 5 years and over in a clinical risk group and health and social care staff are being offered a booster of coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine this autumn.
Vaccines are available across Rotherham, and can be booked using the National Booking System or by calling 119.
There are a number of useful websites you can visit which give you information about energy efficiency, debt, grants and benefits to help with the cost of living.
-
Warm home discount scheme: this is a government scheme that provides people on low incomes and certain benefits with £140 discount on their winter electricity bill. The next program of discounts is due to be open for application from November 22 and is accessed via your energy provider. For more information and to check eligibility visit the Warm Home Discount Scheme page on GOV.UK.
-
Turn2usL Turn2us is a national charity providing practical help to people who are struggling financially. On their website you can access a benefits calculator, information about grants for people/families on low incomes and information about support with the costs of water and energy bills. They also have lots of other information available whatever your circumstances, you can visit their website.
-
National Debtline: National Debtline is a charity which gives free and independent debt advice over the phone and online. They have a number of tools and resources available to access on their website including budgeting sheets, support information for people worrying about energy bills and advice about making your money go further. To access National Debtline services visit their website or telephone 0808 808 4000
Rotherham Federation of Communities (Rotherfed) is looking for volunteers to make calls to lonely or isolated residents in Rotherham.
The telephone befriending project is a lifeline for some residents and more volunteers are needed to help meet the demand.
Can you spare 1 hour a week? Volunteers make weekly telephone calls to matched recipients, often forming friendships along the way.
So if you enjoy a chat and think you can help please contact Rotherfed about this role and other volunteering roles available.
|