April 2024

In this month's issue we look at ways to support your local foodbank, say a huge thank you to our departing chair of trustees and look at ways our supporters are raising money and awareness...

Supporting each other

Dear Iain,

Support is so important. Throughout life, there are many situations where without the support of others we would struggle to cope, feel lost or helpless. Hope Nottingham offers support, practical and pastoral, to those in need, But we couldn't do this without receiving support ourselves. Support from our incredible volunteers; from local businesses, churches and schools; and from people like you - who give to, pray for and raise awareness of our work.

Thank you for your continued support.

"Carry each other’s burdens and so you will fulfill the law of Christ."

Galatians 6:2

Supporting our foodbanks

How much food are we providing?

Our network of 14 foodbanks rely on the generosity of the public to keep them supplied with the food we need to support local people. Between the start of January and the end of March this year, our foodbanks provided 2380 emergency food parcels - an average of 26 parcels every day! Parcels vary depending on the size of the household, but each parcel provides enough food for 3 days. All in all, this represents over 50,000 meals.

What other support do people get?

Our foodbanks use a referral system, which means we work with a huge range of organisations to ensure people in crisis receive the help and support they need. The fantastic volunteer teams at our 14 foodbanks offer befriending, a listening ear and signposting to other support where appropriate. We are also committed to expanding advice provision in our foodbanks, meaning people in need can access professional advice when they most need it.

What can you do to help?

As ever, we need your help and support, not only in donating food (and funds to buy items we're short of) but also in raising awareness of the work we do and the need we are facing. Here are 4 ways you could help make a difference:

Wondering how to get your donation to us? Look at our list of regularly needed items and find out when our foodbanks are open to recieve donations.

We know it's easy to forget to pick up an extra tin at the supermarket. Why not download a shopping list to store in your phone or on your fridge?

Got a great idea to raise awareness of Hope's work in your church, workplace or school?Could you fundraise for us or host a HOPE food donation point?

Could you consider making a one-off or regular donation to support our work and help us purchase food that we are currently short of? Find out how...

Thank you Paul!

After serving an incredible 9 years as Chair of the Board of Trustees, Paul Kirkwood is stepping down from Hope Nottingham at the end of his current term. Paul has been involved with Hope since the very early days, firstly as a volunteer at Hope House and then later in his role as a trustee. Paul's wisdom, guidance and kindness has been a constant support as Hope has grown and developed over the years. We will miss his input immensely. We want to express a huge thank you to Paul and wish him and his wife Gill, (who has generously hosted countless Trustee meetings) all the best as he steps back. We know we'll be keeping in touch!

Our board of trustees are all unpaid volunteers and act as our governing body - being ultimately responsible for all we do.

We are incredibly grateful for their time, expertise and guidance. Jez Barnard, currently our Deputy Treasurer will be taking over as Chair as Paul steps down. You can read more about our fantastic trustee team here.

Communities of Hope Book Launch!

Hope Nottingham's Founder and former Director Nigel Adams has written a book about his story, the founding and growth of Hope Nottingham and how Christian communities can grow through social action. Do come along to hear more from Nigel and bag yourself a signed copy of his book at a launch event on Friday 17th May at 7.30pm at Hope House.

Parkdale kitted out with Hope!

Our friends at Parkdale Primary School in Carlton have found another great way to show their support and raise awareness of our work. Their new school football team kit proudly displays the Hope Nottingham logo, highlighting our Trussell Trust foodbanks and our vision to 'inspire and grow communities of Hope' across Nottingham. The new kit had its premiere last week when the boys team recorded impressive 10-2 and 6-1 wins! Students and staff at Parkdale have been fantastic supporters of Hope Nottingham and our Carlton Community Hub and we can't wait to keep working with them (and cheering on their teams!) in the future.

Huge thanks also to Amptron Electrical, Parkdale's regular kit sponsor who have kindly donated the shirt advertising space.

Parkdale Primary boys football team looking great in the new kit!

If your school, church, organisation or business have other imaginative ideas to fundraise or raise awareness of our work, we'd love to hear from you. Get in touch here.

Diversity Tour Donations...

Dance group and Britain's Got Talent winners, Diversity have partnered with the Trussell Trust to promote and collect for local food banks as part of their current "Supernova" UK tour. We were delighted to be their chosen local food bank for their performances at Nottingham's Royal Concert Hall. Audiences over the three performances generously donated nearly £800 and over 65kg of food which will support Hope's food banks across Nottingham. Thank you to everyone who donated and to our volunteers for supporting at the performances.

Pictured: Diversity with members of our donation teams.

Help needed!

We couldn't do what we do without an army of fantastic volunteers. You can find out more about what opportunities are currently available here.

We are especially looking for Saturday Foodbank Leaders at Hope House in Beeston and Allotment Volunteers including an Allotment Lead Volunteer for a new Friday morning growing team on our Beeston allotment.

Hope House Community meal

Our next pay-what-you-can meal is on Tuesday 14th May at 6pm at Hope House, Beeston.

This is the two year anniversary of our community meals. so we'd love to celebrate with you!

We'd love to see you there! Let us know you are coming by calling on 0303 040 1110 or by email.

Final thoughts...

This month, our reflection comes from one of the more shy members of our staff team! You can read their reflection on revealing, receiving and being rooted in Christ, based on Ephesians 3, here.

Hope Nottingham | 0303 040 1110 | www.hope-nottingham.org.uk