Page 20 - Mike The Port Grocery Impact Report_2019 email

IMPACT SURVEY & REPORT 2019

CONCLUSIONS AND

RECOMMENDATIONS

There were a number of operational feedback points 57.4% said they did not use any. Therefore, it is worth
for the directors and management committee of assessing this need in detail and implementing
The Port Grocery to consider. Those arising directly measures to ensure that all members are fully aware
from respondents were mainly linked with reasons for of the ancillary services that are available to them
not attending The Port Grocery (chiefly the stigma free of charge.
associated with, or the impression of the project), but
also in some every-day features of The Port Grocery. COMMENT BY THE PORT GROCERY
For example, flexibility with what is in the shopping The Port Grocery currently has a volunteer bank of
bag, delayed queuing or waiting a long time, and 55 individuals, from all works of life. These volunteers
an unsheltered waiting area outside. This being said, fulfil a variety of roles, ranging from shop assistant to
there was an overwhelming amount of support and drivers assistants and administration. We maintain an
encouragement of the operation as a whole. active volunteer recruitment policy and intend to
increase our present volunteer numbers in line with
COMMENT BY THE PORT GROCERY the growth and expansion of our project.
All of the above-mentioned issues are currently
being addressed. A covered shelter is to be installed Respondents generally (70.4%) said that they would
to cover the waiting area outside The Port Grocery not be interested in volunteering with The Port
which can be used as cover during adverse weather Grocery. In the main, this was down to the fact they
conditions. An information leaflet explain that the had alternative commitments such as employment,
services and goods offered by The Port Grocery are child care responsibilities or transportation issues.
intended not only to assist those in financial need but
also to combat the negative effects of food waste COMMENT BY THE PORT GROCERY
disposal in landfill and the subsequent detrimental Once again, these are issues that will be addressed
effect on our environment. once our mobile/home delivery services are
introduced.
One issue to consider is the retention of members.
When participants were asked, “How long have This being said, 84 people (21.4%) indicated that
you attended any of The Port Grocery activities?” of they would be interested in volunteering with The
384 responses to the question 134 people indicated Port Grocery Project. Therefore, there is a still a large
“0 month – 6 months” (34.9%). In the interest of amount of people who may be available to support
retaining members it is the intention to examine the project, if not directly in The Port Grocery Shop
the reasons why memberships are halted and to or on the Wednesday Welcome, then perhaps
implement measures to ensure that these reasons indirectly in the wider community.
are adequately addressed.
As stated previously, there were an overwhelmingly
It was indicated by respondents that there were a number of positive comments about the project,
variety of mental and physical health services and but more significant, was the support directed
interventions that could be accessed through The towards the staff and volunteers. It is clear from
Port Grocery and the Wednesday Welcome, for reading the statements made that they are as
example, counselling and mental health support, much a part of the community as the members
exercise and fitness information and group activities of The Port Grocery and those who attend the
and classes. A small number of respondents stated Wednesday Welcome. Therefore, the social value
that they did not know of any services available of these individuals has in the community should be
and when asked if any other services were used considered as a positive impact.
20 THE PORT GROCERY