Helping support some who have been furloughed

We are living through unprecedented times and it feels like it will be a long time before we get back to living life without restrictions.

For some of those who have been furloughed the loss of 20% of their income is the difference between paying rent and buying sufficient food.

Local resident Lindsey Meek was keen to help by providing food packages and approached the Spotlight Team with her ideas.

Lindsey needed a suitable venue and, working with Councillor Ashley Bowkett, found the perfect central location in Barnwood.

Lindsey said: "St Lawrence Church is ideal. The people there have been so welcoming and supportive and the rooms at the church are ideal for packaging the food parcels."

David Brown - as Councillor for the area - has been able to register through FareShares for supplies of non-perishable foods.

In addition David was able to obtain perishables - such as bread, fruit, vegetables, milk, cheese, eggs, meat - through a Gloucester City Council initiative with some funding from the Gloucester Gateway Trust (Gloucester Services M5).

Each week David and Joanne collect the food supplies for Barnwood from central collection points and then Lindsey arranges for the food parcels to be made up and distributed.

If you know of anyone who is struggling at the moment having been furloughed, or perhaps they lost their job due to the knock-on effects of Covid-19, then put them in contact with one of the Spotlight Team.

We will try to help during the duration of the scheme, which is due to end in August. We are hoping it may be extended.