Telford Crisis Network was established in November 2012 and includes local service providers from public, private and third sector organisations who have agreed to work co-operatively to provide a more efficient, effective and co-ordinated Network of Support Services for people in crisis in Telford & Wrekin.
We share a vision that
“No one in the borough of Telford and Wrekin should need to go without the basic essentials to keep themselves and their families sheltered, fed, clean, clothed, warm and healthy.”
We welcome Partners who would like to refer people for whom they care to receive support from other agencies across the Network and to access the provision made available by the community through Telford Crisis Support that includes food, clothing, bedding, crockery, cutlery and furniture for individuals who are in dire crisis and unable to provide for themselves or their family.
We welcome partnerships with private enterprise who can provide access to their knowledge and resources or who have an exciting or innovative idea to share. If you think your business could help in any way; please get in touch.
We welcome support from individuals who are able to donate a little money, provide a bit of food or volunteer some of their time to help and support their neighbours. The support we receive from the community is absolutely amazing and makes this whole project possible.
We believe that helping our neighbours in crisis benefits not only them and their families; but the community of Telford & Wrekin as a whole.
Within Telford Crisis Network there is a wealth of experience and understanding of the complex needs of individuals and families in acute financial crisis. Network agencies already provide a range of established and respected services including emergency food, emergency shelter, temporary accommodation and advice and support to resolve financial crises.
All of the Network agencies report a steadily increasing need over recent years and we share a concern that the current economic situation and impending changes in Welfare Benefits will cause further increases in the number of individuals and families in acute financial crisis.
Network Members believe that forward planning, preparation and collaboration is essential if we are to meet this growing need. We recognise that there are gaps in current service provision and that no single agency will be able to provide the breadth and range of support that will be required to resolve immediate crises and initiate longer-term solutions that will prevent recurrence.
The Network Members believe that by working collaboratively we can deliver a more accessible, comprehensive, holistic, efficient and effective crisis response.
Find out how you can become part of that Network of Support.
About Telford Crisis Network
Today many people across the UK are struggling to cope with the cost of living and supporting themselves and their families. A number of factors over recent years have contributed to this including the effects of the current economic recession, increasing unemployment and changes to the welfare benefits system.
Redundancy, homelessness, illness, benefit delay, domestic violence, debt, family breakdown and paying for rising fuel and food costs are just some of the reasons why people are in crisis.
Previously, provision in Telford and Wrekin has been limited, and individual organisations providing shelter, and/or food and other basic essentials for people to live, have found it difficult to meet the increasing demands.
In response, a number of local service providers from public, private and third sector organisations have agreed to work co-operatively to provide a more efficient, effective and co-ordinated service for the residents of Telford and Wrekin.
Telford Crisis Network was formally established in November 2012. Its overall vision is that:
‘No one in the borough of Telford and Wrekin should need to go without the basic essentials to keep themselves and their families sheltered, fed, clean, clothed, warm and healthy.’
Examples of current Network members include: Telford & The Wrekin CAB, Maninplace, the KIP project, YMCA, British Red Cross, Stay, Telford & Wrekin Council, Wrekin Housing Trust, Lyreco, TCAT, Dawley Christian Centre, Telford Christian Council, Madeley Parish Council, Stirchley & Brookside Parish Council, King Street Cafe in Wellington, Bournville Village Trust, Sanctuary Housing and Bromford Housing.
The partnership is led by Telford & The Wrekin CAB and meets regularly to report progress against its business plan.
Their first priority has been to address the food poverty issues in the borough and in April it officially opened Telford Foodbank.
Telford Foodbank
In April 2013, Telford Crisis Network officially opened Telford Foodbank, to provide emergency food parcels to individuals and families in financial crisis.
Latest figures show that the Foodbank has provided over 54,000 meals to adults and children since opening.
How does it work?
Food and other essential items are donated by the public, and emergency parcels are then sorted by volunteers and distributed to various collection points across the borough for people most in need.
Food donations
The project is heavily reliant on food being donated regularly, with a number of food donation points now in operation across the borough. These include:
- First Point reception at Southwater One (Telford & Wrekin Council)
- Telford & The Wrekin CAB offices on Tan Bank in Wellington
- King Street Cafe in Wellington
- Stirchley & Brookside Parish Council offices in the Sambrooke Centre, Stirchley
- Park Lane Centre in Woodside
Individuals and organisations can support the campaign by running food donation campaigns and we are also exploring payroll giving as an option for local businesses.
Volunteering
Volunteers are an essential part of the project. Working weekdays, there are tasks such as phone cover or working in the food bank to sort through food donations and put together food parcels. The word is getting round in the community and the project now has a number of regular volunteers who are doing a great job, but there is always room for more!
Supporting the project
Local people have been very generous to date and local businesses have also been getting involved, including staff food donation campaigns that have been run by Johnson Controls on Stafford Park and Capgemini.
The support has been great, but it is important that it can be sustained. Whether it is making a food donation, volunteering at the food bank or making monetary contributions – the choice is yours.
What to do if you need to apply for a food parcel?
If you or someone you know is in crisis, in desperate need of help and would like to request a food parcel, here’s what to do:
You can Telephone
You can call one of these two numbers and someone will go through the application with you:
- Telford & Wrekin Council – 01952 380400
- Crisis Network Support Line – 01952 459258
You’ll be taken through an application over the phone and, if we can help, you’ll be told where to go to collect your food parcel the following morning (Mondays through to Fridays) after 11am.
[box]Remember that a crisis can happen to anyone at any time and, if you are struggling, don’t be afraid to ask for help.[/box]
Participating Housing Providers (if you’re a tenant)
If you’re a tenant of one of the following social landlords, you can visit your local support centre or shop to ask for help in applying for a food parcel, or you can call them on the ‘phone.
Your housing provider may be able to provide you with a great deal more support and go through various help options with you if you’re their tenant. Support is available if you are a tenant of one of the following:
- The Wrekin Housing Trust – Money Matters Team 01952 217234
- Bromford Support
- Bournville Village Trust
- Sanctuary Housing
- Life Charity
- Maninplace
- Stay
- KiP
- YMCA
Telford & Wrekin Freephone Points
If you can’t afford the cost of a call; you can use any of the Telford & Wrekin Freephone Points to contact us for a food parcel. You can telephone for FREE at the following locations:
- Brookside Community Centre
- Darby House, Telford Town Centre
- Dawley Christian Centre, Dawley High Street
- Donnington Lifelong Learning Centre
- Leegomery Community Centre
- Madeley Library
- Newport Library
- Newport Swimming Pool
- Oakengates Library
- Southwater One, Telford Town Centre
- Sutton Hill Community Centre
- Wellington Civic Offices