OPEN EVERY TUESDAY
The Co-op is open every Tuesday morning from 10.45 until 12.45 and provides free fresh vegetables and fruit, herbs, spices, bread and many other staples for members living in the Bensham area of Gateshead, including refugees and those seeking asylum. All members are able to access food from the Co-op for as long as it is required. Around 250 people benefit from this every week.
LIVED EXPERIENCES
The majority of volunteers at the Co-op are also members with lived experience, who get a sense of ownership through volunteering, building on their strengths and improving self-esteem. Over time, most of our original volunteers have moved on into education and work. As they move on, we continue to have many new volunteers with lived experience keen to take their place and engage in our programme of volunteer training/activities.
We have benefitted from neighbours, local churches, schools, other charities, the local Park Run and many individuals who have donated to the project, which now also offers kitchen utensils, clothes and toiletries and Sim cards when available from the Databank. Refreshments are served including soup and bread through the winter and a strong, supportive and caring community has developed as a result. For more details contact benshamfoodcoop@gmail.com
MANAGEMENT
The Charity is managed by a group of Trustees, all of whom also serve as volunteers in different roles. The Trustees are responsible for developing and implementing policies, including Health and Safety, Volunteering, Safeguarding, Data Protection, etc.
