GL11 is the hub at the heart of the community in Cam and Dursley. Whilst they are open to all, they target many services of support and intervention to the most vulnerable people of all ages in the area.
GL11 received Coronavirus Emergency Response funding to expand its network of volunteers in April 2020. They came back to GCF to request funding for food parcels in August. Initially, we were reluctant to provide this funding. Many local contacts said that they felt that there was a less urgent need for food as lockdown eased. Because we know GL11 is well-respected in their community, we decided to learn more.
Chief Executive Indigo Redfern explained that GL11 hosts Stroud Food Bank, a part of Trussell Trust. An individual or family can receive up to three foodbank vouchers in a six-month period. Each voucher provides approximately three days of food, and no more than one voucher may be redeemed in a ten-day period. Indigo told us that by August, families who had begun using the foodbank in March may have used up their provision of emergency food. The foodbank does not generally provide fresh food, washing detergent, or loo roll. And because a local agency must distribute vouchers, many families were still under the radar and in food poverty. This was crucial in our decision to award GL11 a second grant.
GCFs willingness to be challenged in our assumptions, and our willingness to take the time to learn from individuals delivering support on the grounds, means our fund distribution gets to the heart of communities in need.
Published: 11th May 2021
