Hundreds of families helped thanks to partnership working

Tenants in Rugeley have received over 600 food parcels from Rugeley Foodbank in the last three years.

Cannock Chase Council formed a partnership with Rugeley Foodbank just as the Covid-19 pandemic hit the country and since then have assisted nearly 2000 adults and children.

 

Cannock Chase Council’s Neighbourhood Officer for Rugeley, holds surgeries every Tuesday at Rugeley Foodbank from 2-4pm for Council tenants.

During the surgeries the Council are able to help with things such as rent arrers, domestic violence or a change of circumstances, which has left them in crisis. The Council offers advice on a wide range of subjects and brings in partner agencies such as South Staffordshire Water, Pathway Project (Domestic Violence) and Stop the Loan Sharks.

The Council and the Foodbank manager have adopted a system where, the Council identifies the crisis through visits to our tenants, whether it be rent arrears, domestic violence, or a change in circumstances for the tenant which has left them in crisis.

Food packages are then organised with the Foodbank, initially for six weeks and during those weeks, the Council puts additional support networks in place, which then moves the tenant from crisis. 

Throughout the process the Council meets with the tenant on a regular basis to monitor the crisis they are facing and ensure the tenant is not falling deeper into problems.

Andy Smith, Rugeley Neighbourhood Officer at Cannock Chase Council said “These stories highlight how this partnership has made a significant impact on families facing crisis. The combined efforts of the Council and the volunteers of Rugeley Foodbank has provided not only immediate relief but also long-term solutions for a positive outcome in these tenants lives.

“There have been numerous success stories resulting from this partnership working one example; a female tenant who had suffered from domestic violence for over 10 years had been left alone with 5 young children. The tenant had extensive rent arrears, was experiencing behavioural issues with her eldest child. The tenant had been controlled to a point where she had no bank account and very limited social skills. With our assistance this tenant has now cleared the rent arrears, opened a bank account, and gained control of her life.”

Councillor Sue Thornley Portfolio Leader for Housing said “It is amazing to see the number of familes helped thanks to the Council and Rugeley Foodbank.  It is especially important that agencies work together to help residents as times are tough at the moment.  I want to personally thank all involved for the families that they have helped.”

Dave Webb, Rugeley Foodbank Manager said “Rugeley Foodbank have been working in partnership with Andy Smith from Cannock Chase District Council Housing Department for the past couple of years. The partnership has proved to be very beneficial in that Andy has direct contact with tenants who find themselves in crisis for various reasons with domestic violence and debt featuring prominently. Each case has its own individual issues so between us we are able to provide tailor made support packages to help these unfortunate people to the point where they are able to sustain themselves. We have a number of testimonies of people who were at rock bottom but now find themselves facing a brighter future with hope and it has all been down to this collaborative working.”