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Vale Pantry works with social housing company to support those in need

A SOCIAL housing company is working with The Vale Pantry to provide free food and support to those who are struggling to make ends meet.

Sovereign Network Group (SNG) has joined forces with the social supermarket in Sturminster Newton to provide a free six-week membership so customers of SNG can access food and other vital support.

The Vale Pantry, which is in the process of moving to a larger premises, offers a range of support alongside its food offering – with 170 families benefitting from the scheme at any one time.

Customers of the pantry, which was set up to reduce food insecurity in north Dorset, pay a small membership fee in return for access to supplies ranging from fresh produce to cupboard staples.

SNG is now offering a free six-week membership at the pantry for its customers to ensure they don’t have to choose between eating and paying for utilities or eating and keeping a roof over their head.

The financial and digital inclusion officer at SNG, Gemma Howinson, said she has been tasked with creating partnerships such as this to help tackle food insecurity for their customers.

“We decided to set it at six weeks, mainly based if you are moving on to Universal Credit – you’ve got that wait for money – that will help tie you over,” she said.

Support provided will be tailored to each customer, she added, which would also include advice on debt and digital skills as well as employability advice.

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Councillor Carole Jones, founder of the Vale Pantry, said people have “really been struggling” after Covid and the rising cost-of-living, but that by working with SNG, more avenues have opened up allowing them to support even more people.

“Previously, everything was down to us….. we need to collaborate to do things properly,” she said.

“When somebody reaches really difficult times, and a crisis can happen to anybody it is so important for families knowing there is somebody they can reach out when things get tough.

“I just wish there were more providers like SNG everywhere.”

Thanks to financial support from Dorset Council, the pantry has plans to become a one-stop shop to provide support for children, young people and families – known as a family hub.

Councillor Gill Taylor, portfolio lead for housing at Dorset Council, said the project was a fantastic example of partnership working together and builds on the council’s campaign to raise awareness of its housing helpline, run in collaboration with charities Citizens Advice and Shelter.

The council says the helpline is showing early signs of success with data showing a 18% increase in the number of calls received in July and August compared to the same period in 2023

“The SNG/Vale Pantry scheme is a brilliant initiative to help people facing real financial hardship but also a great way to help get them back on their feet,” cllr Taylor said.

Since October 2023 there have been around 300 referrals for funded pantry memberships.

So far, the pantry collaborations have created £962,443 of social value, according to SNG, which also works with the Pan Together Larder on the Isle of Wight.

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