BHSF boost for deprived families

Families living in one of the most deprived areas of the country have received a major boost from BHSF.

BHSF, has donated £2,000 to the Ladywood Project in Birmingham which helps those on benefits who are still finding it difficult to support themselves and their families.

Ladywood constituency not only has the highest unemployment figures in the UK it also has the highest number of children living in low income families and Peter Maskell, chief executive of BHSF, says the company’s initiative is not just a one-off, it would like to see the relationship with the project develop.

“Our headquarters is in Ladywood and we see deprivation all around us and, although through our corporate social responsibility programme we support local schools, we thought we could offer practical help to some of those who find it difficult to even put food on the table”, he said.

The Ladywood Project is core-funded by Birmingham City Council but relies on external donations and fund-raising events to provide the services which set out to improve the quality of life of those local residents on very low incomes.

Geraldine Giblin, social worker with the project, said: “We are aware that during the summer holidays, children who have been receiving free school meals find it difficult with to deal with the extra expense required.

 “We provide subsidised meals for them at the drop-in centre and some of the £2,000 donation will go towards that initiative.”

The project tries to tackle the needs of the residents in various ways and has recently funded holidays for nine families - the first holiday many of them have had together as a family.

And part of the donation will go towards emergency food vouchers for families who are hit by financial crisis, and other activities at the project include ‘play and stay’ groups, advice on debt, housing, welfare benefits as well as domestic abuse and banking facilities through the local credit union.

Peter Maskell said: “We feel it is important that we offer as much help as we can to the local community, and the Ladywood Project is an initiative which gives aid to those families who are finding it difficult to keep their heads above water”.