Page 25 - ROTO Magazine Winter 2022.pub

Rotary Magazine for District 1210

Rotarians extend their funding

with Crisis Support charity

Members of Wellington Rotary recently extended the club’s financial donations to Telford Crisis
Support, a charity operating a food bank from its base in Halesfield, Telford, to help launch its
Energy Voucher Scheme.
Prior to the COVID lockdown in 2020, Wellington Rotarians, each month contributed physical items
of food, household goods and toiletries which were then delivered to the food bank.
During lockdown collections were not practical and club members then opted to continue their
support by making monetary donations for onward distribution to Telford Crisis Support. Although
members now meet each Friday lunchtime at the Pheasant Inn in Admaston, the cash contributions
have continued.
Since members started supporting the foodbank this way, over £16,000 has been paid to Telford
Crisis Support.
Earlier this year, members became aware that whilst they were helping Telford Crisis Support in its
provision of food parcels, the benefit would be limited in circumstances where individuals and
families did not have the means to pay for the energy needed to cook the food. Members considered
several ideas but when they heard Telford Crisis Support was looking at launching an energy voucher
scheme, they agreed to donate £4,000 to help launch the scheme.

Simon Lellow, Operations
Manager at Telford Crisis
Support, said “Our energy
scheme supports the residents
of Telford and Wrekin who
utilise pre-payment meters, who
are suffering hardship as a
result of the unprecedented rise
in home energy prices”. He
added “Alongside this targeted
support, applicants will be
offered energy use advice”
Telford Crisis Support accepts
referrals from professionals who
are in contact with and
supporting residents affected by Wellington Rotarians, including Honorary member, Sherwood the Guide
the cost-of-living crisis, Dog, present the club’s donation at a visit to Telford Crisis Support
including, the health & care sector, housing associations, and social prescribers. Eligibility is
discretionary but follows existing best practice employed by similar wellbeing support services.
Richard Studd, President of Wellington Rotary who first suggested the club supported the food bank
many years ago, said “It is clear Rotarians value the work Telford Crisis Support does and I am often
pleasantly surprised by the total value members contribute each month. When a group of members
visited the Telford Crisis Support site recently, we could see its work goes much further than food
parcel provision. Club members are very pleased to make a donation to help the charity launch the
energy scheme”.
Simon Lellow said “Wellington Rotary has provided, much needed, and appreciated financial
support to TCS over an extended period. The additional targeted funding will enable TCS to bolster
the holistic support available from its current scope of services and make a positive difference to our
local community, providing individuals and families with a helping hand to overcome their crisis.”

The funding is expected to be utilised during the winter period from November to February.

WINTER 2022 ROTO 25