Erdington Foodbank receives cash boost to help feed the community

This comes as a study has revealed 10 million children and adults in the UK are experiencing food insecurity .

Part of the Trussell Trust network, the Erdington Foodbank, which has two sites, provides emergency food supplies and practical support to local people in need. Between March 2021 and April 2022, it supplied 15,655 three-day food parcels.

As part of its commitment to making a positive difference to people’s lives, the McCarthy Stone Foundation hopes its donation will help alleviate some of the pressure on families at this time of year, so they can enjoy the magic of Christmas. The foundation supports grassroots, volunteer led charitable causes that promote the health and wellbeing of older people. It is the independent, registered charity of the UK’s leading developer and manager of retirement communities, McCarthy Stone, which is currently building a new Retirement Living development, Botham Place on Orphanage Road.

Rev. Gerard Goshawk, Chair of Trustees at Erdington Foodbank, said: “The foodbank is a vital resource in Erdington, helping to provide food and other essential items to those in need. Christmas can be a tough time for families, especially when combined with the ongoing cost-of-living crisis, which is why donations are more important now than ever. We’re incredibly grateful to the McCarthy Stone Foundation for their generous donation which will go a long way in ensuring locals don’t go without food on Christmas.”

Declan Fishwick, Business Development Manager at McCarthy Stone, added: “A key part of what we do at McCarthy Stone is engaging with and supporting the communities in which we build. Right now, many families are under increasing financial pressure from inflation and high energy prices, which means many will be forced to choose between putting food on the table and buying presents. This is a choice no one should have to make, which is why we’re supporting Erdington Foodbank. Their contribution to the community is outstanding and we’re delighted to be able to chip in and help make a difference at this special time of year.”

With construction work well underway, Botham Place will pair low-maintenance, independent living with sociable communal spaces to help the over 60s live happier, healthier lives. Once complete, homeowners can enjoy access to a stylish lounge and landscaped garden, where they can take part in regular activities and events or simply relax. For peace of mind, a House Manager will be on-site during office hours to keep everything running smoothly, while all properties will be fitted with a 24-hour emergency call system and door camera entry.

Each of the one and two-bedroom retirement apartments will be exclusively available through the Older Persons Shared Ownership scheme in conjunction with Homes England, which reduces the upfront cost of a retirement property by providing a choice of home ownerships up to 75%.

More than nine out of 10 customers would recommend McCarthy Stone to a friend, meaning it has received the full Five Star award for customer satisfaction from the Home Builders Federation. McCarthy Stone is the only UK housebuilder of any size or type to achieve this rating every year it has taken part in the survey.

To discover more about Retirement Living at Botham Place, please call 0800 882 1829 or visit www.mccarthystone.co.uk/botham-place.