Staff at a care home near Bromsgrove are set to volunteer to help provide food security to the community.

Two members of the Cofton Park Manor residential care home staff, Wendy Sibley and Gail Bessant, have committed their time to aid St Bart’s Pantry, based at Allens Cross Community Centre in Birmingham.

The pair have decided to dedicate their time to helping package goods and assist volunteers in preparing food at the pantry.

 

 

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They have also donated essential items like toiletries.

Ms Sibley, the community relations lead at the care home, said: “The volunteers are true angels who go above and beyond to help people in need and do so much to help people in the community.

"Gail and I were blown away by their kindness and think they are amazing people who are happy to give up their time to help others.

"It was such a pleasure to help the Local Pantry.”

The pantry is one of the more than 100 that form a nationwide network, the first of which started ten years ago.

These pantries act as shops, where members of the community can pay a small weekly sum and gain access to groceries worth a greater value.

The pantries function like shops, and are run by organisations such as community centres, charities and churches.

Ms Bessant, the wellbeing coach at the care home, said: “We were so impressed with the impact the Local Pantry has on our community.

"They provide a wonderful store for local people, which can make all the difference to people’s lives, especially when we face a cost-of-living crisis right now.”

During their visit, Ms Sibley and Ms Bessant had the chance to meet Teresa Hussey and Sue Catchpole, two volunteers at the pantry who have been working there since it opened its doors back in March 2022.