Huge Success for the Willenhall Summer Brunch Club
From the 28th July to the 20th August, on Tuesdays and Thursdays, TFC Family Link Worker Tris Peattie ran a Summer Brunch club with St John the Divine church in Willenhall
Over the 8 free sessions:
2704 hot meals were provided
Those attending the sessions were offered a hot meal from a choice of several options.
1600 activity packs were given out
All of the children attending were offered a themed take-home activity pack; one week the children could enjoy an outdoors themed activity pack, then next a space themed one, and even a Disney themed ‘cooking/fun activity’ pack!
138 families were served
75% of the children served were those eligible for free school meals.
Alongside the hot meals and children' activity packs, each session saw different entertainment organised. Across the weeks this included Disney characters, a youth choir, and ice cream van and more!
Feedback for the sessions was incredibly positive, with one attendee saying
‘This will make a huge difference for us over the summer. My mental health can make it hard to cook good meals for my daughter’
And another saying
‘This will be a godsend to my little family, as it’s been a great financial drain on my resources over the Covid lockdown.’
With the current state of the world, it’s easy to see how events like this can have such a positive, welcomed impact. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, many have been left with low financial resources, leading to some going hungry, low mental health, and a huge strain on many families
There are a great many people who can be thanked for playing some part in making these sessions happen.
A huge community effort, the sessions drew in volunteers and support from organisations across Willenhall, including St John the Divine Church, the Coventry Family Hub Partnership, the Woodside Family Hub, The Hagard Community Space and Willenhall Library.
Entertainment was provided by Pantasy Steel Band, Vanny Radio, Enchanted Events and God Mission Church Youth Choir.
Food was provided by a variety of local caterers including Oh My Nosh, KK Catering, CJ’s Ices, Canley Pop Up Café and Mark’s Ices.
Grants from the Heart of England Community Foundation, the National Lottery Community Fund, Tesco Bags of Help, Severn Trent Community Fund, Willenhall Community Forum Limited, the Garfield Weston Foundation and Asda foundation helped make this event possible
