Annual report 2023–2024
Annual Report 2023–2024
The year the Council purchased 19 New Street, securing the Community Hub for the long term, alongside continued emergency food provision, health and school engagement, budgeting and cooking courses, and seasonal projects.
Headline figures for 2023–2024
- emergency food parcels distributed
- 8,866emergency food parcels distributed
- meals provided
- 132,990meals provided
- students reached through school workshops
- 1,000+students reached through school workshops
- children who experienced the Mobile Grotto, December 2023
- 2,000+children who experienced the Mobile Grotto, December 2023
All figures on this page relate to the 2023–2024 reporting period.
Building purchase of 19 New Street
After many years of renting the property in Wellington, the Council was able to purchase the building. This means services can be delivered to the local community with security for many years to come.
Over the years a number of grants have helped transform the building from a commercial shoe shop into a fully functioning community hub. The hub is used by many community groups and organisations and is a designated 'Safe Space' for vulnerable people. Shower facilities are also provided for the homeless community, working alongside many other organisations supporting those in greatest need. Most of the Council's activities are run from the Community Hub and will now continue into the future.
Out-of-Hours Emergency Food Service
Emergency food parcels continued to be provided to families and individuals in need, through a mix of collections and deliveries. An ongoing grant from Telford & Wrekin Council allowed the out-of-hours service to continue. Donations of food and goods from multiple donors helped support over 10,000 residents within the Telford & Wrekin borough.
- 8,866 emergency food parcels distributed
- 132,990 meals provided
- Over 10,000 residents supported through donated food and goods
Community engagement
The Council worked with many groups during the year to bring diversity and inclusion to all members of the community, including the NHS and local authorities, bringing projects such as blood pressure monitoring, vaccinations, Citizens Advice and other services into the local town.
Equality, diversity and inclusion workshops were delivered in local primary and secondary schools to over 1,000 students, helping them better understand the diverse world around them. Several events were also held in collaboration with other organisations, including a carnival event with Telford & Wrekin Council and a diversity event with the RAF Museum at Cosford. Both events were well attended, with thousands of visitors.
Budgeting and cooking courses
During the financial year the Council received funding to deliver budgeting and cooking courses, helping families and individuals manage their finances better and learn to cook on a budget. The Community Hub was opened to residents across the borough who were struggling with debt, money management or a lack of cooking skills.
The Council also worked with a local organisation supporting young people who are not in education, employment or training, so that these skills could be gained early and future difficulties prevented.
Interfaith Santa
With the support of Telford & Wrekin Council, Balfour Beatty and many volunteers, the Mobile Santa Grotto returned to the streets of Telford & Wrekin in the weeks leading up to Christmas — the fourth year the Interfaith Father Christmas has visited children of the borough.
- An estimated 2,000+ children experienced the Mobile Grotto during December 2023
- Over 1,000 selection boxes delivered to vulnerable children
- Over 300 presents provided to children who would otherwise have received little or nothing
Christmas Day meals
On Christmas Day 2023 volunteers prepared and delivered hot Christmas meals to over 200 vulnerable adults, many of them placed in homeless shelters around the borough, as well as elderly individuals, couples and families who were struggling. A sit-down meal was also held at the Community Hub for those who wanted company on the day, with additional treats provided.
Over 50 volunteers from the many communities that make up the Council gave up their time on Christmas Day to prepare, serve and deliver meals — again a truly interfaith Christmas, with all coming together to serve those in greatest need.
Easter Egg Project
At Easter 2024 the Board of Trustees, with support from volunteers, continued the Easter Egg Project for the local community, including vulnerable families and individuals. Public support and donations enabled the delivery of over 500 Easter eggs across the borough, in the fourth year of the Easter Smile campaign.
