Supporting housing clients through a new partnership approach
Social housing company SNG (Sovereign Network Group) has joined forces with community food store, the Vale Pantry in Sturminster Newton to provide gifted food and support to its customers.
The free six-week membership is designed so that nobody has to make a choice between eating and paying for utilities or eating and keeping a roof over their head.
Gemma Howison, Financial and Digital Inclusion Officer at SNG, said her role was to establish partnerships based on food insecurity and provide offers to their customers so that they can become more financially resilient.
“Our first collaboration was with the Vale Pantry. A resident can go down once a week and do most of their food shop and they get the choice of their food and can pick it out.
“We decided to set it at six weeks, mainly based if you are moving on to Universal Credit – you’ve got that wait for money – that will help tie you over. It’s also a good opportunity to get in on the ground and start helping with the issues as well.
“We will have a phone call with that customer and just discuss what their situation is and see if there is any support we can put in place to help them. They also get any community support that the pantry is able to offer too,” she added. This includes advice on debt, digital skills and employability advice.
“The support we give is tailored towards them – it’s not a one size fits all. We can refer to a Pantry membership and the pantry can refer them in as well.”
Tracey, an SNG customer and pantry team leader, said: “I originally started as a member and began volunteering two and a half years ago. It’s not just the pantry – there are other avenues if members need help and SNG is one of those. We go way beyond food.
“I know the impact it’s had on me. It’s opened up a lot of avenues for me.”
Cllr Carole Jones, founder of the Vale Pantry, said: “People have been really struggling. We’ve had Covid. We’ve then had the cost of living… which still carries on.”
Cllr Jones said that since collaborating with SNG, the pantry had been able to reach out to more people: “Previously, everything was down to us….. we need to collaborate to do things properly.
“When somebody reaches really difficult times, and a crisis can happen to anybody it is so important for families knowing there is somebody they can reach out when things get tough.
“I just wish there were more providers like SNG everywhere,” she added.
One user said: “It’s meant the world – there has been a meal when I have had to wait to be paid.”
The pantry has received financial support from Dorset Council and is now looking to become a family hub – a single place to get support for children, young people and families.
Councillor Gill Taylor, Portfolio lead for Housing, said the project was a fantastic example of partnership working and builds on the council’s campaign to raise awareness of our Housing helpline, run in collaboration with charities Citizens Advice and Shelter.
This is showing early signs of success, as data shows an increase of 18 per cent for the number of calls received in July and August compared to the same period in 2023
“The SNG/Vale Pantry scheme is a brilliant initiative to help people facing real financial hardship but also a great way to help get them back on their feet.”
Since October 2023 there have been around 300 referrals for funded pantry memberships. So far, the pantry collaborations have created £962,443 of social value, according to SNG, which also works with the Pan Together Larder on the Isle of Wight.
To see the SNG video about the initiative - https://vimeo.com/howlingbear/review/1013448701/eafebbe10f
Categories: Housing Services
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