Hub’s helping hand from Freemasons
STAPLE Hill Community Hub has received two donations from Gloucestershire Freemasons to support its work.
A donation of £250 from the Staple Hill Chapter Rose Croix is helping to provide emergency food parcels to local families who are struggling to afford basic items.
A second donation of £2,000, from the Gloucestershire Masonic Charity Action, will help the charity continue to offer its wide range of support for the local community.
The community organisation has seen a substantial increase in the demand for emergency food parcels over the last year.
The hub’s services often fill a gap when there is an unexpected financial crisis, such as an unexpected bill.
Mason Sean Sullivan said: “Gloucestershire Freemasons are delighted to support the Staple Hill Community Hub, as it is such a fantastic resource for the area.
“They offer a welcome to everyone in the community, providing warmth, company, activities or when it’s needed support for life’s challenges.”
Andrea Reid, from the Hub, said: “We support people who are in most need, specifically people with learning difficulties, mental health problems, the isolated elderly, the unemployed and anyone else who needs us.
“We offer a safe environment where people can meet, join in activities, make new friends, learn new skills and achieve a sense of belonging. We are very grateful to our local Freemasons for enabling us to carry on doing that.”
Food is normally provided through donations from local supermarkets, church groups, residents and grant applications.
The masons’ donations will also help provide free use of the Hub’s kitchen for families and individuals to prepare their meals.
The kitchen is fully equipped and available for people to reduce their own energy costs and develop new skills.
It is only one of the almost endless ways the Hub supports our local community.
Others include a lunch club, support for those seeking work including skills training and career support, a ‘Welcome Space’ for people in the community to come together, a music club, children’s Christmas parties, exercise together sessions, coffee mornings, advice bureau, confidence-building and a gardening and nature club for children.
Nick Ellwood and Matthew Pick