Rugeley Foodbank
Foodbanks are a nationwide initiative to provide emergency food for those in need. Rugeley Community Church, with help from other local Churches, run the Rugeley Foodbank. Whilst we love helping people in need, we wish that Foodbanks were actaully redundant in our modern society. The truth is though that in 2018, Rugeley Foodbank alone handed out food parcels to feed 933 Adults and 606 Children. Nationwide, between April and September 2018, 658,048 emergency food parcels were handed out*.
Reasons for needing to receieve emergency food are extremely varied and are often not as a result of poor judgement or planning, it could happen to any of us.
Food is donated by businesses, supermarkets, charities and individuals; once it arrives at Rugeley Community Centre it is logged, weighed and sorted into types and use-by date. Care professionals such as doctors, health visitors, schools and social workers identify people in crisis and issue them with a foodbank voucher. This entitles them to receive a foodbank parcel of three days’ nutritionally balanced, non-perishable food.
Foodbanks aim to provide more than just emergency food however, the people recieving the food are often upset, depressed, worried, scared etc. and therefore we offer a freindly face to talk to and point them in the direction of organsiations, charities and other professionals who may be able to help them further.
*National statistics obtained from The Trussell Trust.
Horse Fair Care Home
Every fortnight a team from Rugeley Community Church family spend an hour and a half on a Wednesday morning at Avery Care Home in Rugeley.
The morning visit includes a short “thought for the day”, singing a couple of well-known Christian songs and chatting with the residents.
Over the last year the team has built up good relationships and friendships with both residents and staff.
Some of the team also now go in at other times to visit residents or attended the “knit and natter” group which does exactly what the name suggests!
Access English
Access English delivers lessons in English to small class sizes (around 6 students) in an easy going, fun and friendly atmosphere at Rugeley Community Centre. Access English is especially tailored for speakers of other languages based on the national standards of the “Skills for Life” levels in the ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) Core Curriculum produced by the Department for Education and Skills (DfES). The various levels are specified as: ‘Entry Levels’ 1, 2 and 3 followed by the more advanced ‘Level 1’ and ‘Level 2’ courses. The core curriculum is based on the national standards for adult literacy developed by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) and shares the basic principles laid down in the National Curriculum for schools. The courses specifically focus on speaking, listening and responding skills, skills of reading and understanding and also the skill of writing to communicate. The approach of these ESOL courses demonstrates that all learners, whatever level, can improve and move towards achieving their full potential in using the English Language; developing skills for life and opening doors to the future. There is no charge for these Courses which are open to all (subject to availability), however, should anyone require a formal ESOL Certificate then we are not able to offer this facility and students are advised to join an Accredited ESOL school for which there will be fees and charges. Most of our students, numbering in excess of 20 to-date, are from Europe but we have had students from as far afield as Brazil and Thailand.
