Healthy Me Healthy Communities - "If it wasn't for your place I don't know where I'd be"
Healthy Me Healthy Communities is a vibrant and innovative social enterprise co-producing health and wellbeing services that empower, educate and inspire for a healthier, happier and longer life. They run Gorton Central – a community hub, Community Grocers – which are once a week food projects where members pay £2.50 for approximately £12 in value of food – with one in Gorton and one in Harpurhey, a community café in Harpurhey, volunteer opportunities and a volunteer training programme, cooking courses, accredited training, and referrals and signposting to a wide variety of support services.
Here is just some of the feedback from Community Grocer members:
‘'They are very supportive, non-judgemental. Helped mentally, physically, financially. They have alway helped me. I feel like there is somewhere I can go. I have no family, if it wasn't for your place I don't know where I'd be. I've gone into places in the past and I've been judged, it's not like that at Gorton Central. I've been there in some states and they've just supported me. It's the personal touch, the empathy. It's the only place I can actually say that have helped." Mel (Gorton Central)
"The impact of the cost of food can’t be underestimated - it’s a chunk of the household budget, particularly with growing children in the house. The Community Grocer has been such a help to our family in that respect – providing us with staples as well as fresh fuit and veg options to help nourish everyone. It is very expensive otherwise to regularly buy fresh fruit and veg. Even getting that big box of cereal to keep the kids going when there’s nothing else available has been a great help as cereal can be expensive. Having a no/low income means that I have to scrimp where I can and make things last longer. I am grateful for the Community Grocer for helping me to this end." – Emma (Community Grocers)
"The Community Grocers helps people to budget for the meals for the week, and it’s not overwhelming coming into the shop. People are excited to see different foods and vegetables" (Community Grocers)
"I am the carer – the money I save on food using a food pantry is a great help with my travel expenses to care for my elderly parent. Carers allowance alone does not cover travel expenses" (Community Grocers member)