Norwood & Brixton Foodbank couldn’t help people in the way we do without our brilliant team of volunteers. They make what we do possible.
We have several positions open to volunteers, including warehouse assistants, drivers, and supermarket collection coordinators. Each role is paramount to the smooth running of the foodbank, and getting food and resources out to those who need it.
Laleen, a retired computer science teacher, is one of our dedicated volunteers at the food bank. We spoke to her about what motivates her to volunteer, and her experience working with us.
What motivated you to volunteer with Norwood & Brixton Foodbank?
After my church decided to support the Foodbank by collecting donations from Sainsbury’s, I volunteered to be part of the rota. Later on, we agreed to become a hub one afternoon a week so that clients could collect parcels from our church and get advice and support if they needed it. Again, I volunteered to be on the rota for that. Recently I started to make phone calls to clients to confirm their dietary needs before their parcels are prepared.
Have you done any other volunteer work in the past?
I have volunteered in youth work, volunteered on a primary school reading scheme, was a school governor, and had several roles in my church.
How are you finding your experience volunteering, from the people you work with to the clients you face?
The other volunteers that I have worked with are interesting, caring, capable people from a variety of backgrounds. It is a pleasure to spend time with them. The Foodbank Advisors are providing such a great service and support with their extensive knowledge. The clients equally are diverse in terms of background, situation and need. In my experience, they have been very grateful for the support and usually leave the hub sessions feeling more hopeful than when they arrived. When I make the phone calls, so far, I have had a very warm response from clients who are very appreciative of the call.
What kind of impact have you seen the foodbank have on its clients?
The donations are having an obvious practical positive impact on clients; it is heartwarming to see the generosity of the general public. The sessions at the hub provide a secure and friendly space for clients to come and just chat over tea and biscuits, collect their parcels or get support with their housing, benefits or bills. Having the system of making the dietary checking phone calls provides an opportunity again to let people know that their needs are important, that we care and to check if they need a signposting call to try to support any other needs that they have.
What more can we do to help the clients you are seeing?
Well, I’m quite new to volunteering so I don’t have all the answers but I am really impressed with the team we have and how everyone is trained to sign-post to essential services. We’re able to give clients a little green book from Lambeth Larder which has a list of places they can get a hot meal. There are other things like the Guarantee Essentials campaign by the Trussell Trust – they really seem to be trying to raise the standard for everyone. People can join in with that. Otherwise, I think we just need more of everything. More food and donations so we can keep on doing what we’re doing, especially as we prepare for winter which was really busy last year!
Find out how you can volunteer at Norwood & Brixton Foodbank here.