Behind the scenes at G52

G52, based in Gamesley, is a Community Interest Organisation that was established originally as a local community group in 2013 providing food which would otherwise have ended up in landfill.

Since then, the services provided by this organisation have helped to support a range of people within the Gamesley Community.

The group is based at The Hub, 42 Winster Mews and it is here that all the activity takes place.

Each Thursday the Pantry Manager, Kerrie Fitzgerald, takes delivery of food from Fareshare and, with her trusted team of volunteers, she packs and redistributes the food to local residents.

The residents pay a minimal yearly fee to join the Hub and then each week for £2.50 they receive a bag of fresh, frozen and tinned food which, on average, values in excess of £20.

There is also an opportunity for locals to browse the shelves and purchase additional goods at a much reduced cost compared to that in high street stores.

But this is not where it all stops. The welfare of the local residents is extremely important to the trustees and, in particular, the chair of trustees Patricia Javanaud. Pat, as everyone knows, is the driving force behind the entire organisation. Her drive, enthusiasm and ideas have created an organisation that now employs 6 paid members of staff and a host of volunteers.

There are two support workers providing a range of services such as debt counselling, fuel poverty and assistance with form filling.  Their experience enables them to cut through a lot of the red tape involved in trying to obtain any sort of financial entitlement. They look after any health and safety concerns residents may have and play a big part in sustaining the general wellbeing of some of the local residents.

Our family support established a parent and baby group, giving support and a place where new mothers could meet others.   She has acted as an advocate for parents with various agencies and arranges both winter and summer programmes of events including, football, dancing, swimming, trips to local parks and a host of other events during main school holidays.  She keeps in regular contact with families who may need a little advice or support at a particular given time, giving both guidance and advice.

It doesn’t stop there though  because our community coordinator regularly visits the more isolated and senior members of the community, delivering hot meals to those who join the scheme, but more importantly providing that life line with the outside world. She takes residents on shopping trips, visits local garden centres and places of interest to the more senior residents.  She organised a regular Monday Club meet up where, over a hot bacon sandwich and a cup of tea, the world is put to rights.

All of this is done with the interest of the local community. In these times when financial restraints are hitting everyone, G52 is extremely grateful to the funders and to High Peak Borough Council, and Derbyshire County Council for their continued support who enable the vital and valuable undertaking to continue.

If anyone is interested in finding out more or feel they can help the group in anyway then please contact: Pat.javanaud@derbyshire.gov.uk.