Housing provider's virtual Christmas celebrations helping Tameside foodbanks

A housing provider is donating thousands of pounds to charities in Tameside to help its residents this Christmas.

This year, Jigsaw Homes Group won’t be having its usual Christmas party for employees but is using the money saved from holding a virtual event to donate to a number of foodbanks across the borough.

A total of £8,350 will be donated to help families and individuals in areas where Jigsaw manages homes, including Hattersley, Haughton Green and Dukinfield.

Jigsaw Homes Group, which owns and manages more than 35,000 homes across the North West and East Midlands, has also provided £500,000 to community groups and charities this year through its Jigsaw Foundation programme.

While funding has been awarded to a number of foodbanks through the programme, the organisation has chosen others who have not received financial support. Since March, it has donated £80,000 to foodbanks across the regions.

Hilary Roberts, Chief Executive of Jigsaw Homes, said: “Like many organisations across the country, we set aside a budget for our annual Christmas celebration where we take the opportunity to thank colleagues for their hard work during the year, in often demanding and challenging situations.

“Circumstances mean that’s not possible this year, so by holding a virtual celebration, we can use the money saved to help our residents and our communities. This has been a difficult year for many people, so we wanted to further support these vital foodbanks and we hope this money will go some way to help.”

The money will go to foodbanks at:

·         Smallshaw Hurst Community Action Group at Cedar Park in Ashton (£2,000)

·         St Mary’s Church, Haughton Green (£1,550)

·         Tameside South and Longdendale Trussell Trust in Hattersley (£1,550)

·         Trussell Trust Tameside (covering Ashton, Dukinfield and Stalybridge(£3,250)

Susan Ayres, project co-ordinator at Tameside South and Longdendale foodbank, said: “We provide food in Hollingworth, Hattersley and Hyde to families in crisis. As well as providing breakfast, dinner and tea for three days, our parcels help to keep families out of debt and in their homes. This donation from Jigsaw Homes Group towards the work of our foodbank is very much appreciated.”

An additional £5,000 will also go to the Group’s Jigsaw Support, which runs a number of services across the region including homelessness and housing advice, domestic abuse support, employment services and agency managed properties.

It will be used for presents and gift vouchers for customers and children across its services, so everyone has something to open on Christmas Day.

Main image:

Dave Smith, one of the volunteers from Tameside South and Longdendale Foodbank.