Trust Resource Hub throws a valuable lifeline to vulnerable families and care leavers

In times of uncertainty and hardship, which are particularly difficult for vulnerable families and care leavers, there is stability and reassurance that support is unwavering thanks to a team of workers at Birmingham Children’s Trust.

Faced with the need to continue to support children, young people, families and care leavers in Birmingham during the COVID-19 lockdown, Trust staff have rallied together at a rapid pace to create a Resource Hub to offer vital emergency resources and financial support.

The Birmingham Children’s Trust Resource Hub was opened on 27 March 2020.

Andy Couldrick, Chief Executive of Birmingham Children’s Trust, said: “Coronavirus has had a major impact on the vulnerable children, young people, families and care leavers we are here to support 365 days a year. We knew we needed to immediately adapt to these unprecedented circumstances.

“To combat the social care issues the national lockdown has created we have worked at breakneck speed to create a Resource Hub and mobilise our staff to provide support in a way that is helping vulnerable people in Birmingham to get resources, emergency funds and vouchers immediately.”

“Our families and care leavers are incredibly appreciative that they are getting resources delivered safely to their front doors, and we are not underestimating the fact that even some of the safe face-to-face contact to deliver resources is making a positive difference.”

Added Andrew Christie, Chair of Birmingham Children’s Trust: “We created the Trust Resource Hub to sensibly coordinate resources and donations and to provide safe and timely distribution of those resources and payments to families and care leavers who are otherwise isolated or suffering hardship.”

“The Trust Resource Hub is testament to the fortitude of our staff and the incredible support of our business and community partners who have shown a huge amount of heart and passion to support those who need emergency support the most.”

“In these times of uncertainty Birmingham Children’s Trust is stepping up to the challenge and adapting to a changed world. We want to sincerely thank everyone who has helped to create and support the ongoing services provided by the Trust Resource Hub.”

 In just three weeks the Trust Resource Hub, with major support from partners and individuals, has delivered support to many vulnerable families. For example:

• Support has been provided to just under 250 families by safely delivering food parcels, emergency payments, emergency money for gas and electricity, and vital resources such as nappies and wipes, as well as treats such as Easter eggs.
• Over 500 emergency food parcels have been delivered to families and care leavers, delivering safely to the door to those who are self-isolating, unable to get support elsewhere, or remaining at home during the lockdown.
• Trust Resource Hub staff and volunteers from Birmingham businesses have created a distribution network to safely hand-deliver food parcels, toiletries, resources and emergency payments or money, and supermarket vouchers if families are able to safely shop themselves.
• Easter eggs donated by Waitrose in Harborne and Birmingham City F.C. Community Trust and Blues 4 All (Birmingham City F.C. supporters club) were safely hand-delivered to families over the Easter weekend.
• Businesses and partner organisations have played a huge part in helping the Trust Resource Hub by making donations of food and resources as well as helping to safely distribute these supplies directly to vulnerable families and care leavers.
• West Midland Fire Service (WMFS) have dedicated staff 5-days a week to taking food parcels out to the community.
• A University of Birmingham PhD student has made donations and has been helping to safely distribute resources.
• Jacobs (Birmingham) have been working with their own supply chain to offer support to the Trust Resource Hub by raising awareness and volunteering time and staff.
• Other organisations supporting direct and safe deliveries to families and care leavers include Wesleyan (Financial Services), Shoosmiths (Solicitors) Birmingham, Innova Solutions, Unison and Evolve Social Impact.
• Fortem have donated money raised thanks to a ‘dress-down’ day to the Trust Resource Hub to buy goods.
• On 15 April 2020 Birmingham City F.C. partnered with MKG Foods and donated more than 1,250 packets of crisps, 2,500 bottles of drinks, and 400 packs of biscuits, which were intended for the remaining postponed Championship fixtures.
• Evolve Social Impact providing wellbeing support to the community through training programmes.
• Virtual support has been provided by other Trust partners. These include Business in the Community, Aston Villa F.C., Barclays, Engie, and 3PB.
• Birmingham Vineyard donated food from their own foodbanks.
• In addition we have been supported by the head of Acacia Family Support, a teacher from Springteach and a teacher from Lozells Primary School.

Our dedicated workforce opened up the Trust Resource Hub over Good Friday and Bank Holiday Monday, to provide our most vulnerable families with the support they needed.

How you can support the Trust Resource Hub

If your business, organisation or you as an individual would like to offer any support to the Trust Resource Hub by donating any resources, logistical help delivering parcels to families and care leavers, or virtual support, we would love to hear from you.

Email Natalie Loon (Corporate Parenting Manager) and Lawrence Vos (Communications Manager) with your details:

• EMAIL NATALIE
• EMAIL LAWRENCE