Brighton based OneFamily has announced support for two community projects to help families in the city.
The projects that will be benefiting are the Whitehawk Food Bank, which has fed over 22,000 people since 2015, and the Brighton Unemployed Families Centre Project (BUCFP) which supports some of the most disadvantaged people in the city.
The financial services company has awarded each group £2,500 and will be offering hands-on support through employee volunteering and the sharing of skills, networks and experience.
Teddy Nyahasha, the CEO of OneFamily said,
“Supporting local families, improving their life chances and building the financial wellbeing of people in our community are very important to us and have been our focus for many years.
“We’ve worked with the Whitehawk Food Bank before, so know very well the fantastic work the team there does to reduce food poverty and support those who need it the most. BUCFP is an organisation that our colleagues have previously said they wanted to support, so I’m very happy to be working with them – they are making a real, positive difference to families in the city.
“We’re keen to build partnerships with both groups because, for us, it’s not just about handing money over and believing that the job is done. We’ll be investing time, practical support and advice to local charities and community groups that we hope will have a real impact on the lives of local people.”
The new charity partnerships:
The Brighton Unemployed Families Centre Project was set up in 1981. It provides practical support, education and advice to the unemployed, the unwaged and those on low incomes. It also helps people in poor living conditions, benefit claimants, pensioners and families. There’s free childcare available to those supported by BUFCP, daily hot meals, online access as well as a range of free or affordable classes.
Lisa Hook, fundraiser at BUFCP said,
“BUCFP is a local charity which, for over 40 years, has supported some of the most disadvantaged families in the city. It has helped people suffering the effects of poverty, isolation and exclusion, bringing them together at our community centre with both practical and emotional support as well as education, information and social activities.
“We depend on continued fundraising and donations to run our busy services and the donation from OneFamily will go a long way towards providing food and basics for families as well as emotional support for people who may be really struggling.”
The Whitehawk Food Bank was launched in 2015. It provides three days of nutritionally balanced, non-perishable emergency food and support to people in crisis in Whitehawk and the wider East Brighton area. Since its inception it has given out nearly 10,000 food parcels and supported over 22,000 people, including around 8,000 children.
Joe Walker, Foodbank Manager at the Whitehawk Food Bank said,
“With the economic impacts of COVID still ongoing, sadly the need for emergency food is increasing in our city. We’re so grateful for the generosity of OneFamily in providing valuable funds to help us ensure that no one in our community goes hungry.”