Community invited to ‘fill up a parking space’ with food amid cost of living crisisThe Harrogate district community is set to come together this weekend to help hungry families struggling with the cost of living crisis.
People are being encouraged to fill a parking space with food at Morrisons, Boroughbridge, which will then be donated to food banks in the area.
The event, which will take place from 10am – 4pm on Saturday, is being led by the supermarket’s community champions, Sue Robson and Karen Cooper.
Ms Cooper said:
“As you are aware, the current financial climate is beginning to affect many local families and further putting already vulnerable households at risk of going hungry. Now, more than ever, people are needing to utilise the services of food banks.
We are joining forces with local food banks to create an event which hopefully should create awareness, and ultimately, provide more food for families in need.
“We hope this event will help to inspire our community to begin, or continue, to donate to local food banks, should they be in the position to do so.”
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Customers, staff, and the wider community are encouraged to come and donate non-perishable food and place it in an empty parking space, which will be cordoned off on the day.
The idea is that the parking space, or spaces, will be filled and then distributed to food banks in the area. These include Resurrected Bites, in Harrogate and Knaresborough, Boroughbridge Community Care and other local causes.
Customers can purchase food from pre-made pick-up packs at the supermarket, or can bring their own from home. They can also buy items off the shelves.
Harrogate mum who struggled to feed kids wants to break stigmaA single mum with four children from Harrogate has opened up about her experience of struggling to pay the bills to try and break the stigma around poverty.
Kayleigh Cooper lost her job manning the phones in the evenings at a taxi company early in the coronavirus pandemic.
So overnight, after never worrying about money, she started to wonder how she could afford her rising living costs while also feeding her children.
She gets Universal Credit and food vouchers but they have not been able to cover her costs.
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Ms Cooper felt ashamed about her situation at first. But after reaching out for support, she now wants to let others know that they do not need to “suffer in silence” like she did. She said:
“I was really struggling to feed my children on a daily basis. A lot of people pretend they are doing alright, I have done it myself. But we need to talk about the issue otherwise it gets swept under the rug.
“For me I never had to worry about money before this. Since losing my job I have had to make those choices between paying the utility bills and buying food.
“It’s not just those without a job though, there are plenty of people with jobs who do not have enough money to live off too. Sometimes they struggle even more.
“My anxiety has been a lot worse. It really has had an impact on my mental health. However since reaching out for support I feel like I have had a weight taken off my shoulders.”
Reaching out for support at the new community grocery
A neighbour told Ms Cooper about the community grocery run by the Resurrected Bites team, which opened last month at New Park Primary Academy Community Hub.
She was hesitant at first but broke down in tears when she finally decided to go and ask for help.
People pay £5 a year to sign up as members and are then entitled to pay £3, £6 or £9 depending on the size of their family. The value of the items for the £3 shop would usually cost around £30.
She posted this picture online of a shop that cost her £9 to try and break the stigma.
It has a wide range of tinned, fresh food and frozen food. The shop also stocks toiletries, sanitary products and nappies in various sizes.
The shop, which can be found in one of the school’s separate buildings on West Street, just off Skipton Road, is open daily every Tuesday and Thursday between 9.30am and 3.30pm. Ms Cooper added:
“It has lightened me because I know even if I have £10 or £15 that week that I can go down to the community grocery and get meals for my children.
“I have used food banks in the past but I have had to pass things on because I won’t use it.
“So the beauty of it is that you get to choose what you take. They have everything you could need and the people there were so lovely.
“I wanted to post pictures so other people could see what they could get. I didn’t expect it but my post got a really positive response.”
Ripon’s Community Diamond receives her sparkling prize
The first winner of the Ripon Community Diamond Award has received her special custom-made prize.
Suzanne Bowyer, was selected from a high calibre entry of nominees.
The award was sponsored by The Vintage Rooms and run in conjunction with the Stray Ferret.
It set out to find people who go the extra mile to help others.
The independent judges were the Mayor of Ripon Councillor Eamon Parkin and Bishop of Ripon The Rt. Revd Dr Helen-Ann Hartley.
Suzanne selected a custom-made white gold necklace featuring the diamond as her prize.
They chose Suzanne for her outstanding work at the Community House Food Support service in Allhallowgate.
It has helped hundreds of people trapped in food poverty because of the financial strain brought by the pandemic.
The presentation of a custom-made necklace with diamond, white gold setting and chain was delayed because of the covid lockdown.
Now, however, Suzanne has collected her prize and said:
“It’s a great honour to receive this award.
“I look on it as recognition for the whole team.
“They work so hard at Community House and continue to help people in need.”
Speaking on behalf of both judges, Dr Hartley, pointed out:
“There are so many community-minded people in Ripon
“Any one of the nominees would have been a worthy winner.
“That meant we had the very difficult task of finding just one individual.”
The original idea for the award came from Mike and Liz Cooper, owners of Red Buttons Jewellers and Hedley Hall, who run an antiques, vintage models and collectables business.
The friends traded together in the former Wrens department store and, when it closed, relocated to The Vintage Room in Queen Street.
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Mr Cooper, said:
“We congratulate Suzanne on her selection as the city’s first community diamond and thank all those who made the award happen.
“Through the nomination process, we found out about the people who are the beating heart of Ripon and make it such a special place.”
Ripon mother talks of her desperation to feed familyA mother of five has been talking to the Stray Ferret about the struggle to keep her head above water during lockdown and how it prompted dark ‘thoughts of ending it all’.
With the promise that her identity would be protected, the mother agreed to speak with us as she hopes it will help others.
This is her story.
“I had maxed out on my cards, the bills and red reminders were coming in and I had run out of food to feed my family.
“We had been living on pasta, perhaps with a bit of cheese sprinkled on it – but the last packet was now empty.
“I didn’t know where to turn and felt like a worthless failure, who had let her children down, everything looked bleak.
“I started having black thoughts about ending it all.”
Weekly food and recipes from Back to Basics, along with sound advice, proved a lifeline for a Ripon mother
But with practical assistance and advice, she is getting her life back on track. The mum found out about Back to Basics – an organisation that is helping Ripon families by tackling the fundamental issues of food poverty.
In addition to providing a regular supply of free ingredients and instructions on how to turn them into a nutritious family meal, Back to Basics helped the mother begin to sort out her finances.
She said:
“They could see that lack of food in my cupboards and fridge was just the tip of the iceberg.
“If I tried to pay overdue bills, I couldn’t afford to buy food and life was scary.
“Helen Mackenzie and her Back to Basics organisation saved my life.
“While teaching me how to make healthy meals on a budget, they also pointed me in the direction of people, agencies and advice services that have helped me to get my financial situation under control.”
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In November 2019 – more than a year before coronavirus reached the UK – North Yorkshire’s former director of public health, Dr Lincoln Sargeant, published a report titled ‘Life in times of change – health and hardship in North Yorkshire’
This estimated that 92,000 people (15%) living in the county fell within the Government’s definition of poverty.
In Dr Sargeant’s report, he noted a re-emergence of destitution:
“There is still a striking similarity between poverty in the past and poverty today. They are still largely due to unemployment and low household income.”
He added:
“It can be hidden from view; where people live with the challenges of poverty among less disadvantaged neighbours.”
The covid crisis has made the situation worse for many families. This mother’s story shows how real those challenges of poverty are.
Have you been affected to be this story or in a similar situation? If you want to tell your story get in touch at contact@thestrayferret.co.uk
Ripon food poverty group sees rise in demandThe Back to Basics food organisation in Ripon says it is seeing a rise in demand for its help.
Currently, more than 40 adults and children, are benefiting from the Back to Basics venture. Each week, it provides, free of charge, the ingredients and guidance for a cheap, but nutritious meal to be prepared.
Back to Basics provide the ingredients and the recipe card needed to create a cheap, but nutritious meal
Food poverty pioneers Helen Mackenzie and Sarita McDermott set up Back to Basics in 2019. Helen, who teaches at Ripon Grammar School, told the Stray Ferret:
“We call it thriving on a budget.”
Sarita, who owns the Realitea Tea Room in North Street, added:
“Some of the most delicious meals can be produced with inexpensive ingredients such as carrots, potatoes, peas and pasta.”
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The guiding principle of Back to Basics is to be both educational and nutritional.
Helen, pointed out:
“We provide families who are struggling — usually those with kids on free school meals — with the ingredients for a meal and a recipe card. We are not a soup kitchen so we don’t make the meal for them — we expect them to get ‘back to basics’ and cook with their family.”
The venture is supported in both cash and kind by businesses and individuals in Ripon and collection boxes can be seen at various locations across the city.
The number of foodbanks in the Harrogate district is increasing — with a new one recently opened in Starbeck to meet demand.
Helen, said:
“I’m sure from what we have seen, that the families we are helping represent the tip of an iceberg. There are people paralysed by debt, who have maxed out on their credit and debit cards. Others are just a pay day away from financial meltdown.
“No matter how desperate their circumstances may be, we will help and they should not feel embarrassed about asking for our assistance.”
Anybody wanting to support the work of Back to Basics, is asked to contact Helen Mackenzie on 07896 534539.
Regular updates can be seen on Facebook.
Fifty tonnes of food support donated by Ripon communityA Ripon organisation is able to reflect on a remarkable response to the coronavirus crisis.
With the anniversary of the UK’s first covid lockdown looming, Food Support has been able to measure the weight of the city’s reaction.
The service, located at Community House in Allhallowgate, has received more than 50 tonnes of donations since last March.
This has enabled Suzanne Bowyer, her colleague Caroline King and an army of volunteers, to help families and individuals.
Assistance is provided to people living in Ripon, Boroughbridge and surrounding areas.
Suzanne Bowyer, who says support from the Ripon community has been incredible
Suzanne, told the Stray Ferret:
“The response from individuals, supermarkets, other shops and businesses, has been incredible.
“We have received donations of fresh, packaged and tinned food, beverages and items such as nappies.
“Volunteers have also donated their time.
“This has provided a lifeline for people affected by the pandemic.”
Food Support, works with partner organisations ranging from the NHS and Harrogate Borough Council to doctors’ surgeries and the Salvation Army, who make referrals.
For some, the help will be temporary as they wait for Universal Credit, while others may have a longer-term need.
Suzanne, pointed out:
“We provide a totally discreet and confidential service designed for anybody needing a helping hand.
“People should feel no shame in seeking help to feed themselves or their family in these difficult times, caused by circumstances outside their control.”
Numerous churches, groups, individuals, businesses and organisations continue to rally to the call by providing practical assistance.
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Food Support has continued throughout the crisis. Donations that arrive at Community House in Allhallowgate are weighed on industrial scales.
More crunch times lie ahead, with school summer holidays, the end of furlough, mortgage holidays and emergency rights preventing tenants from being evicted.
Further details are available at: www.riponcommunityhouse.co.uk
Food Bank volunteer, councillor and Salvation Army officer all nominated for diamond prizeIn the second of our stories about nominees for the Ripon Community Diamond Award, we look at a further three nominees, whose names were put forward by readers of the Stray Ferret.
The winner of the award will be selected by independent judges, the Mayor of Ripon Councillor Eamon Parkin and the Bishop of Ripon the Rt Revd Helen-Ann Hartley.
In addition to the title, the winner will receive an incredible prize worth up to £1,000, donated by Red Buttons Jewellers and Hedley Hall.
Red Buttons, which shares The Vintage Room premises in Queen Street, Ripon, with Mr Hall and his antiques, collectables and vintage models business, will create a customised piece of jewellery, featuring the diamond in a gold or white gold setting.
A high calibre of nominees have been put forward, reflecting Ripon’s reputation for being a city with a strong community spirit.
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Here is what nominators have to say about the people they have nominated
Suzanne Bowyer
Suzanne Bowyer works at Community House in Allhallowgate. Since the first lockdown in March, she and a colleague have been focusing on the crucial role of keeping families and individuals fed.
Nominator Caroline Bentham said:
“Suzanne and a colleague took over the food banks in March, when those who were running them had to give up and shield. They have had to deal with calls from the public who are trying to access the services that normally use Community House.
“Suzanne has helped mums at the end of their tether, who can’t get hold of a health visitor. She and her colleague do their work quietly, with no ‘look at me, aren’t we great attitude.'”
Christine McCutcheon
Major Christine McCutcheon is the officer in charge of The Salvation Amy in Ripon, which has its headquarters in Lead Lane.
Christine was nominated by Kathryn Robinson, who said:
“Throughout the lockdowns, she has been amazing, working hard and being busier than ever, providing food parcels to those in need.
“At Christmas, Christine provided toys and gifts for families. She is always there for her neighbours, providing care for anyone who needs it.”
Councillor Pauline McHardy
Pauline is a city and Harrogate Borough councillor and three-times mayor of Ripon, where she was born and bred.
Her name was put forward by fellow Harrogate Borough Councillor Victoria Oldham, who said:
“Pauline never stops trying to help people, whatever their political bias. She always has time and stands up for what she believes in.”
As well as knowing her from Harrogate Borough Council, Cllr Oldham hears about Pauline’s campaigning work as a markets champion from speaking with market stallholders in Otley, who also trade in Ripon.
Nominations for the award close at midnight on January 31.