KINDNESS IS CONTAGIOUS We’ve put together a few ideas on how you can make a positive difference this festive season & new year and spread a little community spirit and friendship; simple steps that will help you to put a smile on someone’s face (and hopefully yours too!).
SUPPORT A LOCAL FAMILY IN CRISIS
CHATTER & NATTER
With 1 in 5 of the UK population now living below the poverty line, food banks play a vital role in the community. Why not make a positive difference to a local family this festive season by donating much-need food supplies.
Style first met Oldham mum Alex Hoskyn back in March 2017, when she launched her Chatty Cafe Scheme; a new initiative to get people talking and reduce loneliness. Rochdale was one of the first boroughs in the country to host a number of Chatter & Natter tables for its residents to use. Now over 500 cafes and restaurants across the country have signed up, including one of the UK’s most popular coffee chains Costa Coffee.
The ‘reverse advent calendar’ is a lovely way of doing this and involves putting one item of food aside each day. You could get the whole family involved by getting children to decorate the box, helping them to understand that Christmas is about giving. Just make sure you drop the box off at your local food bank in good time for Christmas. Last year, Rochdale Foodbank gave three day emergency food supplies to 6614 people in crisis including 2263 children. The foodbank is open 11am - 12.45pm every weekday, at 8 South Parade, Rochdale. Food donations can be dropped off anytime during opening hours. There is also a donation point at the entrance to Tesco, (Silk Street, Sudden) during opening hours. The foodbank urgently need semi-skimmed milk (UHT), sugar and pasta sauces and are also short of items such as breakfast cereals, snacks, coffee, long life fruit juice and tinned meat/ fish/tomatoes/ fruit/spaghetti/ potatoes. Festive items such as Christmas puddings, shortbread and selection boxes are also welcome.
The idea is that cafes dedicate one of their tables to those on their own looking for someone to chat to. Alex came up with the idea when she was a new mum feeling isolated, craving adult conversation. During a visit to a café, Alex observed an elderly lady sat alone, who appeared fed up. At another table she saw a man with additional needs and his carer both looking equally down. “I thought what a positive impact we could have had on each other if we had all sat together” says Alex. “Sometimes just an interaction with another human can brighten your day”. Chatter & Natter tables creates a safe environment for people to talk, whether it’s for five minute chat or an hour or so of good conversation. To find your nearest table go to: www.thechattycafescheme.co.uk
A full up to date shopping list can be found on their website, visit rochdale.foodbank.org.uk or call 01706 713701 to find out more.
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