21 April 2023
Situated on the Walsall/Sandwell border, a small community-based nursery school is lifting parents out of poverty by helping them get into work and by making childcare more accessible.
“We help parents return to work by providing affordable childcare and also offering Apprenticeship training, so they can get their nationally recognised qualifications,” explains David Fuffill of the Hub Yew Tree & Tame Bridge Community Centre.
Education is key to all the work at the hub. The group uses food to teach children about healthy eating, with knowledge often being transferred to educate parents.
“We do taste sessions with our under 5’s,” continues David. “Children then go home to their parents and tell them what they have eaten today, often it’s food that parents haven’t thought about before, and they introduce it to their families. It’s a roundabout education.
“We are having a completely new kitchen put in, so we will be able to start doing cookery. We’re also hoping to work with another organisation to start delivering a supported hot meal once a week.”
The group collects food every week from Asda, via FareShare Go, which helps make up food parcels for struggling families.
“We get a wide range of products from Asda including multipacks, drink cans, crisps, water and cereal. Then we get quite a few tins from Asda Queslett such as beans, spaghetti and potatoes. We also get a small amount of fresh produce and bakery from Asda Darlaston every Saturday.” said David
A point often overlooked is the lack of accesability to healthy food. The hub is now using plant-based meals to help to encourage healthy eating.
“We do have more and more vegetarians! We do taste testing sessions and encourage children to try new food. It’s surprising how much they do like it,” continues David.
“The difference the food make is absolutely dramatic. We speak to people on the phone who have nothing left due to the cost of living. We’re just glad we can put something simple together to support them.”
David with the Asda store community champion.
