Hull charities pull together in support of the City’s most vulnerable residents via Hull Helpline, to deliver food parcels and meals.
Unity in Community, EMS and Goodwin Development Trust responded to a plea from Hull City Council for local groups, community services and organisations to support the COVID-19 relief efforts.
Through its current service centre on Endike Lane, Unity has delivered over 700 food parcels to people living in isolation in North Hull, The Avenues and Bransholme since 7 April. It is also supporting various council projects for vulnerable residents with serious health conditions.
The Project Manager at Unity in Community, Liam Woods said: “When it opened, Hull Helpline received over 150 calls per day from local residents, many of whom were panicking about where their next meal would be coming from.
At the same time, we were also receiving additional new enquiries via our social media platforms for our foodbank – people who were genuinely concerned that they were not able to leave their homes and would not be able to access food at all.”
“As always, our team is committed to supporting residents in HU6 via our community centre, training facility and foodbank. However, as we are closed to the public at the moment, we have repurposed the building to cater for the larger quantities of food that are being delivered to us, for our team to then sort, pack and re-distribute.”
“We are very proud to be able to support The Council in their efforts to ensure everyone has the essential items they need.”
“Our team of key workers are working 7 days a week to help those at high risk in HU5, HU6 and HU7 to avoid contracting the virus and to have access to essential items including; toilet paper, tinned foods and frozen items.”
“Hull City Council has coordinated the project very efficiently and we know EMS and Goodwin have seen a significant rise in demand as we have.”
Hull Helpline was set-up for anyone needing extra help and living without a support network for help with shopping, dog walking or, access to other essential services.
The local authority made contact with residents identified as the most vulnerable within the city to offer support to those who need it. The Government also issued letters to 1.2m people nationally who, due to their health conditions need to take additional measures to shield themselves from contact with others.
Jan Boyd, CEO, EMS Ltd is supported by volunteer drivers from Hull City Council, British Gas, Northern Gas Network and Humberside Fire and Rescue. She said:
“The Hull Community Shop (HCS) is our affordable food project open to the public 11:00-15:00 five days per week. Food on the green shelves is available for a small donation. We also run a means-tested membership scheme so residents can access up to 8 items of packet goods, toiletries or tins for £2.00.”
“We are also cooking up to 40 fresh meals per day using the Freedom Centre kitchen. They are available from our office and currently two other community fridges located around the city.”
“Our resident community gardener John, is overseeing the food parcel service with support from the EMS Team and two very dedicated volunteers who have made 660 parcel deliveries so far.”
“I would like to thank everyone who has been involved in helping us to deliver food parcels around the East Hull area. A food parcel delivery on such a wide scale is new to us and the EMS Team and our volunteers have more than met the challenge.”
Lloyd Dobbs, Training Skills and Opportunities Manager from Goodwin Development Trust says: “The West Hull Hub based at Goodwin has seen a significant rise in demand for food parcels and without the extra delivery drivers from Hull City Council and Humberside Fire and Rescue, we simply could not get them out. This project is a fine example of what great partnership work is all about.”
Councillor Stephen Brady, Leader of Hull City Council, said: “The Hull Helpline was set-up very quickly. The level of support from the three foodbanks – Unity in Community, EMS and Goodwin Development Trust has been incredible. FareShare has also played a crucial role to ensure residents do not go hungry.
“The council and the city are extremely fortunate to have three organisations that have joined forces for the good of the city and help the council with its efforts to support our most vulnerable residents throughout the Coronavirus pandemic. It just shows what can be achieved when we all pull together.”
Hull Helpline number can be found via hull.gov.uk along with 300 307 01482 300307.
