Our most recent volunteering day took us to the Methodist Church in Southend to help out with food distribution at the Experience Project set up during the pandemic by Simon Matthews to deliver food to the most vulnerable in the local community  –  Bournes Green Estate/Whittingham Estate which is noted for being one of the poorest social housing areas within the city.

Like many of these projects it has now grown beyond its original purpose and now not only supplies over 250 families a week with much needed supplies – food and household goods – but also distributes food to other food banks and charitable causes over a 30 mile radius, bringing its total reach to over 1600 families.

We arrived before the guests which allowed for time to get a fascinating overview of the Experience Project as a whole which not only provides food, and a welcoming hub for the community to meet up in but also has ambitions to become ‘a technological creative hub that presents an opportunity for the development of young people’s aspirations. Children will Experience being drawn OUT and Projected IN to a futuristic immersive, creative and educational environment where time, space and limitations are UP to your imagination. This will be achieved through the medium of AR/VR/XR (mixed realities).’  Very innovative technology that will hopefully prevent many from straying down the wrong paths or removing themselves from potentially difficult and dangerous situations.

The food bank, or Fun Bank as they call it, is so much more than a food provider and we were lucky enough to meet one young lady who during covid and with high anxiety levels and health problems couldn’t actually answer the door to her flat let alone go outside. Eventually persuaded to pay a visit to the hub she is now a regular volunteer who openly admits that the project has changed her life and she is delighted to be able to give something back to others. From talking with her and others the sense of community that now exists in the area has rocketed where people now acknowledge each other, look out for each other and there is a sense of real belonging.

It was great to hear these heart-warming stories but we also had work to do as the guests were arriving. With everyone encouraged to come in for a cuppa, a chat and a slice of cake while we collected their bags and found out what their most pressing need was in terms of food or household goods we disappeared into the food store to fill their bags with a mix of dry goods, meat, pet food and general household items such as shampoo, washing up liquid and much more. With such a friendly atmosphere throughout the building it was at times easy to forget that people were there because they needed to be and it must be so difficult to come and ask for food.

After a few hours and with most of the guests catered for it was time for us to go. It was another eye-opening afternoon but we were really made to feel so welcome and was wonderful to see the great work they are doing to bring a community together and address many of the problems that exist there.

In addition to the food provision there is also opportunity during the week to visit their relaxation room, a comfortable space to take time out and enjoy some fantastic projections on the walls of nature and soothing voices that give a calming respite from hectic and troublesome days. It has proved incredibly popular with adults and children alike who love the opportunity for a little tranquility.

 One thing is for sure we will most certainly be back and are looking to see in what other ways we can help too.