It is a sad fact of life that year on year more and more people are finding themselves having to use foodbanks to feed themselves and their families. Food banks were originally set up by the Trussell Trust in the year 2000. The first food bank in their network was created in a garden shed in Salisbury. It soon became apparent that there were many people in the area who required emergency food, the trust carried out research across the UK and discovered that this was not an isolated problem and that there was a nationwide need for their service. In 2004 the Trussell Trust Foodbank Network was created and has since partnered with over 440 churches and communities across the country to provide emergency food for those in need.

There is a common misconception that care homes are to a certain extent isolated from the real world, this could not be further from the truth. Here at Kingfisher, we have links with schools and colleges, local groups, and community ventures. We try to support local events and charities as much as possible, and we work very hard to ensure that anyone who comes to live at Kingfisher Court remains a part of the community.

Our residents are always very keen to help out in any way they can, and it was them that set up and assisted in the coordination of our latest community venture. We asked staff and families to contribute food items for our local food bank and Nina along with lifestyle manager Steve were designated to deliver the items.

The team at the Let’s All Eat foodbank in Sutton-in-Ashfield were wonderful, Linda, the manager took time to show Nina around and even had her packing boxes. Nina was delighted.

We will be continuing with our food donations and our residents have agreed to go along regularly to help pack and hand out boxes. This is going to be the start of a wonderful partnership.

If you would like to donate items for the food bank you can drop them into reception at Kingfisher Court and our lovely residents will make sure that they are put to good use.