Carlisle Foodbank; my life as a volunteer during a global pandemic
In 2015, realising I had some spare time to give, I set about looking for volunteering opportunities in my local community. I’m a full time self-employed wedding photographer and videographer, and while that does take up the vast majority of my time, I wanted to be a part of something bigger. I found the wonderful Carlisle Foodbank, which was established by Rachael Rodway and David Pitkeathly in 2012 after they saw an increase in need for support for the most vulnerable people in our community. Major Katrina Lennox of the Salvation Army was instrumental in helping us secure a base in their premises on St Nicholas Street.
I had no preconceived ideas when I went in for my first shift about who I might meet and help, and where they’d be from. I also had no idea at that stage how much I’d come to care about our users.
Originally we were based in the Salvation Army building. As well as filling food parcels, we’d share the task of sorting donations and storing them for future use. We’d catch up with our clients over a cup of tea or coffee, spending time with them, sharing biscuits or cake. It became a huge part of my life; something I genuinely cared about and loved to be a part of.
As time moved on, we moved into The Courts Nisi Prius Building on English Street. We don’t have the facilities for tea or coffee now, although we still try to make sure our clients leave us with a smile on their faces. We aren’t just providing food for people, we’re providing somewhere to go where everyone is treated as an equal. We’re someone to chat to, or moan to if things have been tough. We’re someone they can rely on thanks to the incredibly generous donations from the public and businesses, and volunteers who give up their time each week.
The current crisis means we now operate through a delivery system. We were prepared for an increase in foodbank use, but I don’t think any of us could have predicted just how big an increase it would be. We’re helping those who’ve been laid off with little or no pay; zero hour contract workers, people who’ve been furloughed, and those whom losing 20% of their pay means having to choose between food and electricity.
Every day that I’m working in the foodbank I’m torn between being delighted I can do something productive with my extra time, and saddened that there’s a need for me to be there; for us to exist.
As we are being relied on by so many, shifts are tough and stressful right now, but as I look around me I’m thankful to have my colleagues with me; friendly faces, smiles, and different adults company - it’s a real sense of community! All of it is the one thing that has kept me sane through the strange days we are living now.
I’m usually a ‘front of house volunteer’, but now I’ve also been learning the different roles the foodbank has to offer - working through several different versions of ‘how to pack a food parcel’ in order to be the most efficient I can be, and believe me I’m putting a lot of thought into this! I’ve had to learn where the baked beans are stored and which room the pasta is kept in..
I’ve learned that it’s practically impossible to get sellotape off a roll with latex gloves on, and that there’s always a mess when you split a box of washing powder into smaller bags. I also feel tiny bit guilty if I put sardines in food parcels instead of tuna, knowing I’d always prefer tuna.
But the biggest thing I’ve learned over the last few weeks is just how amazing human beings are. We learn, adapt, work together, and we throw everything at making something very, very special happen in a time of terrible crisis. My fellow volunteers are incredible people; they’re there because they want to help others. Those of my colleagues who are self-isolating are amazing too, because they’re looking after themselves so they’re ready to return when things are safer.
Our referers - charities and government agencies, are doing a wonderful job in working with us to make sure people get the help they need. Our regular supermarket supporters are working harder than ever to continue with their donations, and we’re incredibly grateful to them. To the general public, thank you for everything you’re doing right now; thinking about us when things might be tough for you too. Whether you’re putting an extra can of rice pudding for us in with your weekly shop, or you’re making financial donations to allow us to buy what we most need, you’re what keeps us being able to do what we do, and we cannot thank you enough.
I wanted to tell my story, but I also wanted to show it to you. I’ve put together a few images to give you an insight into our lives right now. If you like them, and you feel you’d like to donate to the foodbank, I’ve set up a brand new JustGiving page linked to the blog.
