Housing provider gifts food and toys for local families facing Festive hardship
Sovini Housing donation to local community groups expected to help thousands of families over Christmas period
THE existence of foodbanks is a damning indictment of the UK's political economy but not necessarily of British society; generous support from individuals and organisations testifies to that.
A housing provider in Merseyside went one further than offering food and personal care products, this month; playing 'Santa' with a donation of toys too, so that children won't have to feel left out come Christmas.
One Vision Housing, part of the North West England's Sovini Group, provided donations from its Community Development Fund to support nine community organisations across the Liverpool City Region.
Fellow group members Sovini Trade Supplies and Sovini Property Services, along with local law firm Weightmans LLP also chipped in.
The organisations supported include Netherton Park Neghbourhood Centre (NPNC); Sefton OPERA (Older Persons Enabling Resource & Action); Light for Life; Brunswick Youth & Community Centre; Joseph Lappin Centre; Veterans HQ Liverpool; St Helens Food Bank; Equilibrium North West CIC; and the Indy Food Pantry.
Each received large pallets of food, care, and toy packages ready for the Christmas period. Between them, the donation is expected to support some 2,000 individuals, families and older people over the Festive period.
“Current cost-of-living crisis has impacted our clients massively,” said Vicki Martlow, of Sefton OPERA. “Rising energy costs have resulted in some being frightened to turn their heating on, with others using just one room in their home to reduce costs."
The organisation she represents is a charitable voluntary group that provides services to help improve the well-being of older people. The donation means it will be able to “support hundreds of people locally”.
NPNC, meanwhile, also received a £1,500 grant from One Vision's Community Development Fund to support its food pantry. This provides access to food and care products for the local community.
The cost-of-living crisis is hitting everyone on low incomes particularly hard, whether in work or not, right across the country. Inflation has increased at a faster rate than pay for those in employment, and benefits for those who aren't.
Inflation hit 11.1% in October, eating into people's incomes, which has a direct impact on their ability to pay their rent, household bills, as well as buy food and care products. The implications – for society as much as for families – are grim.
The leeway to cut back without plunging into extreme hardship has become severely limited – and increasingly vanished – for growing numbers of households across the UK, resulting in deepening levels of poverty.
"We are committed to creating opportunities and changing lives in the communities we serve,” said Ian Mitchell, the Sovini Group's managing director of housing.
“As the cost-of-living continues to rise, we know many will be finding this time of year challenging. Alongside the help One Vision Housing provide through its wonderful support teams, we hope that these packages will help those in need this Christmas.”
Sian Evans, partner at Weightmans LLP, added: “This year has undoubtedly been difficult with so many people affected by the cost-of-living crisis, so we are eager to support such a great initiative. We hope those families receiving the packages enjoy the Festive season.”
Every little helps, as the advertising slogan goes; better would be to end the dystopian reliance on foodbanks, but that one's in Government hands – if they stop playing Scrooge, that is.
MC