The Pankhurst Centre Spirit Story - giving choice that had been taken away

When Irene was told by her consultant that she’d have to take things easy after an operation, the first thing she told him was there was no way she was giving up her role as a volunteer at the Food Bank at the Pankhurst Centre. “The volunteers have become my family, the Food Bank is more than making sure people have food to put into their mouths, it’s about putting a smile on their faces”, said Irene.

Today Irene and a dedicated and enthusiastic group of volunteers are preparing for tomorrow’s weekly Food Bank Day which is a lifeline for women and children who are referred to the service by organisations including Women’s Aid, Rape Crisis and others. Its tough work and long hours with donations of fresh food, no-perishable items and clothes having to be collected, unpacked and arranged ready for the arrival of around 22 families. Many of these women have had choice taken away from them because of their experiences of abuse. "Instead of giving women a bag of stuff, our service is about giving women choices to pick the things they need and will use", said Karen a worker at the Food Bank.

"Many women discover that the Food Bank is the first step into other things at the Pankhurst Centre where women can enjoy the friendship of others at the weekly Thursday drop-in and find the support they need to rebuild their lives" Irene (pictured below)