“It restores your faith in humanity” - Bellway staff volunteer for Bassetlaw Food Bank

Anna Smart, a sales advisor at Bellway’s Gateford Quarter development in Worksop, and her colleague Adam Champion, Sales Manager for Bellway’s East Midlands division, are giving two hours each week between them to the organisation that distributes food to those in need across the district.

Bassetlaw Food Bank was set up in 2012 and has seen a year-on-year increase in demand for emergency food parcels. In 2022 they provided 2,383 parcels, which supported around 5,000 people, and equates to 104,658 meals supplied to Bassetlaw residents dealing with food insecurity.

The Bellway duo have joined the team of volunteers who collect, sort, pack and deliver the items as well as working on schemes to ensure people have enough to eat.

Anna, 29, who lives in Derby, said: “At Bellway we were keen to give back to the community in a way that would go above and beyond what’s required as a developer.

“While the company could have made a donation of food or money, we wanted to do something more personal, and we felt that giving our time and energy would be truly supportive of the charity.

“With the cost of essentials rising, we were looking for opportunities to help those who really need it and we feel that Bassetlaw Food Bank has such a positive influence on this issue in the community.

“I’d like to think that our contribution to their work is making a difference, however small.”

On her first volunteering session, Anna helped at BFB’s Grow It, Fix It project. This is an allotment, orchard, and white goods repair scheme with any surplus produce going to the food bank.

She said: “It’s been heartwarming to see the effort that all the volunteers put into running the food bank and the different ways the team is trying to reach people of all ages and circumstances. It restores your faith in humanity.”

Anna was keen to volunteer for a worthy cause as that is something that her parents also do now that they are retired.

“Watching the pride that they take in giving back now they’ve finished their working life has been inspiring to me.

“Volunteering is something I would have loved to have done in my spare time, but this can be difficult when juggling work and home life. I am immensely proud to be working for a company who is happy and willing for us to give back within working hours and sees the importance of working with the local community as a team.”

Adam said: “Bassetlaw Food Bank responded so positively when I got in touch about volunteering, and they have been very welcoming to myself and Anna. We’re both very proud to be part of the good work they are doing. At Bellway we are keen to be involved in the community where we are building homes, and this has been a truly worthwhile way to do that.”

Laura Kennedy from Bassetlaw Food Bank, said: “It’s great when local organisations get involved with the food bank and our projects. Building community relationships is integral to the work we do and means that we can support people in more ways and spread awareness of food insecurity in the area. Bellway staff bring a positive, can-do attitude and it’s great to see them get stuck in with the Grow It, Fix It project.”

Bellway is building 110 homes at its Gateford Quarter development, which is located off Gateford Road.

To find out more, visit www.bellway.co.uk/new-homes/east-midlands/gateford-quarter or call 01909 238 173.