Stone Community Hub has taken home Volunteer Team of the Year at the Stafford and District Support Staffordshire Volunteer Awards 2021.
The team of amazing volunteers who worked throughout the pandemic to support local people in need. Team members Chris and Pat Kirkbride also won the Lifetime Achievement Award for volunteering services, and Treasurer Kathryn Platt was commended in the Trustee of the Year category
The Hub’s Manager, Emma Walton, writes, “Things have certainly been different at Stone Community Hub since March 2020! When the pandemic struck and the first lockdown announced, most of our normal services had to be postponed and it became apparent, very quickly, that demand for our food bank support would very much increase, both in Stone and surrounding villages.
“Indeed, in the whole of the previous financial year, we provided around 300 parcels, since March 2020, the Hub has provided almost 3,000 parcels to local families who need support with food and other supplies. The service has only been possible with the support of an amazing team of volunteers who have tirelessly and cheerfully worked throughout the pandemic packing parcels, sorting stock levels, holding donation points outside their houses as well as delivering parcels to people who have been shielding. We are so grateful for their support and would have not been able to achieve what we have without them.
“Since the latest easing of restrictions, we are seeing a slight reduction in the number of parcels requested although demand still outweighs by far the levels seen pre-COVID. As the Government has now announced that Community Centres can reopen, we are now putting plans in place for a gradual return to our previous services prior to the pandemic.
“We are very much hoping to be able to resume our Job Club from mid June where we can offer guidance and assistance to people looking for paid employment. We can help with writing applications and CV’s, searching for suitable vacancies, giving support and guidance for preparing for interviews as well as general support with claiming benefits. We will also be open for individual support in areas such as claiming benefits, combatting social isolation, housing issues, applying for passports, Blue Badges etc. These sessions will be by appointment only due to Social Distancing restrictions.
“Hopefully, if Government guidelines allow, we will then be reopening our drop in sessions at the end of June, followed by Hub Grub and, finally our craft sessions will hopefully return towards the end of summer.
“You will appreciate that most of our usual fundraising activities have had to be suspended, we have been very fortunate with financial support from emergency COVID funding from a variety of sources as well as fabulous support from local residents, supermarkets, businesses and other organisations, both financially and with donations of supplies. This support has meant that we have been able to maintain stocks in the food bank throughout the pandemic, for which we are very grateful. People can support us by becoming a member and giving a regular financial donation via our Golden Giving facility on the website or by contacting us.”
If anyone would like any further information on the Hub’s services, would like to make a donation, is
interested in volunteering or becoming a Trustee, please visit the website www.stonecommunityhub.org, telephone 01785 812417, email Emma Walton (Manager) manager@stonecommunityhub.org or visit their social media pages.
