THE search is on for someone to co-ordinate one of the most successful lockdown support projects.
More than 5,000 care packages have been distributed across the dale by staff and volunteers at The TCR Hub, in Barnard Castle, since the scheme was launched during the first national lockdown.
The project is continuing into a second year and funding has been secured to for someone to co-ordinate and develop The Hub’s food provision.
The care packages scheme was launched by The Hub’s chief executive Rachel Tweddle and a team of volunteers to ensure support was available for those most in need.
“It is hard to believe that a year ago, we had yet to deliver our first food package to a Teesdale resident,” she said.
“I came up with the idea as everyone was reeling from the news of the pandemic and lockdown, and after talking with community leaders and volunteers from The Hub.
“We were determined to take positive action to provide real help to those who were facing the frightening prospect of job losses and business closures, and to those who wanted to continue to serve their community.”
Ms Tweddle added: “TCR stands for Teesdale Community Resources and that is what this food provision has been, and indeed continues to be all about.
“And it was absolutely brilliant how our community responded.”
A Gofundme online appeal raised more than £1,500 within days, with the money used to buy fresh food for local people who were struggling. The total raised is now at £30,000.
Grants have also helped, including donations from Durham Community Action for branded hoodies so vulnerable people could be sure it was safe to open their door knowing that the caller was genuine.
Cash from Teesdale Action Partnership has helped towards running costs, while Morrisons, in Barnard Castle, has provided a mountain of food. Support has also come from the Co-op stores in Barnard Castle and Middleton-in-Teesdale.
Ms Tweddle added: “We quickly got involved with a range of charities, including the UK’s national network of charitable food redistributors, Fairshare.
“From our first collection last May, our amazing team of volunteers have collected 268 loads of food that would otherwise have gone into landfill, resulting in 12,729 meals made of food from Tesco stores in Catterick, Bishop Auckland and Newton Aycliffe.
“In total, we have delivered more than 5,000 care packages in the past year with 40 volunteers delivering to homes from Bowes to Evenwood, Middleton-in-Teesdale to Gainford and many places in between.
“We continue to take referrals from Teesdale YMCA, schools, Age UK, neighbours or self-referrals.
“It just goes to show what we can achieve when working together for the good of all.
“This is why we have now secured funding for a new person to join the team to help drive this amazing campaign forward.”
For an application pack and more information, visit our website and select https://www.tcrhub.co.uk/opportunity-to-join-tcr-team-with-a-new-role-food-provision-co-ordinator/
For more information, contact TCR Hub by email at [email protected].
