Participate Connect Transform
The Mandela Centre 179,181 Peartree Rd Derby DE23 8NQ T:01332 347066 E:spectrumderbyshire@gmail.com
​An article in the Independent (27/04/2017) reporting on a Special Committee of MPs convened by the Government outlined the plight of millions of UK children during the long summer holiday period (Source: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/education/education-news/uk-children-hunger-school-holidays-poverty-food-lack-a7700161.html). The Government reportage and the article warn of the number of children, notably those who are entitled to free school meals, going hungry during the summer holidays and returning to school malnourished and suffering significant weight loss. We at Spectrum Derbyshire find this state of affairs unacceptable, and are working, with the assistance of sponsors, donors and volunteers, to address the issue in the short and longer term. In the short term, this summer we are aiming to provide local children with a nutritiously balanced hot lunch equivalent to what they would receive at school. Derby City Council may also support the Project through their Crowd Funder Programme visit https://news.derby.gov.uk/crowdfund-derby-welcomed-by-community-organisations/ for more information. To register for the Project please scroll down complete and press submit. Paper versions are available from The Mandela Centre, 179 Pear Tree Rd, DE23 8NQ or call us on 01332 347066 for more information.
Project Background:
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Project Aims:
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To raise funds to feed 30+ children (who are entitled to Free School Meals) a day for the Summer Holiday.
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To provide meaningful activity which is both stimulating and creative to remove any stigma which might result in reduced participation in the Project.
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To create a safe space for children and young people aged 5-16 years in our local community
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To be a catalyst for localised community cohesion
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To encourage and support other local community centres and organisations to engage in the same or similar project
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To stimulate debate, interest and engagement around the issue of food hunger and poverty affecting children and young people in Derby and elsewhere.
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To encourage members of the local community to contribute to (including as volunteers) the Project.
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Use the Project to address other needs such as for school uniforms etc
2019 Update
Since starting to operate on a shoestring budget and very little support in cash or kind we have established networks which have seen us grow from strength to strength to provide help and assistance city-wide and to extend our service offer to include a baby and clothing bank. Current partners include Co-op Foodshare - collecting from Coop Food stores and supermarkets, Fareshare East Midlands - collecting from Tesco and Neighbourly - collecting from Aldi and Lidyl. These partnerships have become invaluable in our ability to keep up with demand for emergency food and support and in keeping our actions for No Hungry Child Up and running. Our volunteer support has also grown with a growing list of 32 volunteers. We have to date sent out more than 635 families with food parcels and had 381 children go through our summer Kidz Programme which includes being provided with a hot meal, activities and shopping to take home for siblings too young to attend the activity programme. A very big heartfelt thank you goes out to all of our supporters who have made it possible for continue to due this work which is both necessary and making a difference in and across our community.
Covid-19 Update April 2021
The Pandemic has continued to see demand for our services increase. seen our services come under pressure. Alongside being designated one of eight Emergency Food Banks in Derby (now Derby Food4Thought Alliance) we have also seen local demand for items like underwear, socks and plethora of baby items (milk, nappies whites etc). In the wake of that demand we have continued to assistance in cash and kind from a Partners and with the help of volunteers have managed to keep up with that demand which has included home deliveries to those unwell, isolating and without their own transport. We have also received funding/donations from individual, Derby People's Assembly, GMB, and UNITE Community and small grants from Neighbourly and and targeted funding from FareShare.
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We are very grateful for all our supporters big and small and owe a big debt to the many volunteers who stepped forward to offer assistance. Our partnership with Derby Food4Thought has grown from strength to strength and we have continued to receive donations of food and other items from that source up to and including March 25th 2021.
Emerging from our work during the Pandemic one of our Directors Sonya Robotham was invited to be part of the Derby Poverty Commission which is looking at long term strategies to address all forms of poverty including, food poverty, in Derby City.
The experience of the pandemic has given us much food for thought and we seeking funding on a longer term basis to open up a subsidised community food store. Watch this space for updates.
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While we continue to experience the impacts of Covid-19 we will continue to adhere to the associated measures of socially distancing, hand sanitising and wearing masks inside the Centre. Further this we are asking that everyone please be patient with us and adheres to the limit if only 3 people in the Centre at any one time.
Further Information:
Food Parcels from Food4Thought please call : 01332 640000
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Mandela Centre/ No Hungry Child Project please email spectrumderbyshire@gmail.com or call us on 07779560284
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Requests for clothing and Baby Bank items should also be sent by email to spectrumderbyshire@gmail.com
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How Can You Help:
Donations Can be Dropped Off at The Mandela Centre 11am to 5.30 pm Monday and Wednesday and Tuesday and Thursday 5pm to 7.30pm:
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The Mandela Centre
179-181 Pear Tree Rd
Derby
DE23 8NQ
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Call us on 01332 347066
Volunteer Meeting:
Friday June 18th 6,30 - 8pm
The Mandela Centre
179-181 Pear Tree Rd
Derby
DE23 8NQ
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Call us on 07779560284 to book your place
Supporters:
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Other Supporters :
Shazia Parveen
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Lynne
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Sadie
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Elaine
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Claire
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Sharief and Sons
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Tesco Mickleover
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Volunteers
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Lynne
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Sadie
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Claire
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Barry
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Beth
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Kev
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Steven
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Bernadette
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Julie
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Shayla
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Soraya
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Fatimah
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