Over the summer, Chester’s Den café in the HUB has provided 1,400 picnic bags for children on free school meals who are accessing the HAF (Holiday Activity Food) programmes in parks in Chesterfield.
The HAF programmes are funded by StreetGames and the Department for Education, and Chester’s Den staff/volunteers were asked to support the delivery of the programme by providing the picnic bags.
Sarah Poulton, Chesterfield Borough Council’s green space development officer, who has co-ordinated their project, said: “I’m grateful to both the staff of Chester’s Den – who were flexible in ensuring there was no wastage from the picnic bags – as well as the lovely volunteers who have delivered the meals throughout the Summer.
“The volunteers always arrived early with a big smile on their face and have provided an invaluable service to children in Chesterfield.”
The cost of living crisis has provided a challenge for families, so the Trust recognises the hard work put in by the volunteers and are incredibly proud of being able to provide the food and make a difference to communities within Chesterfield.
As a thank you for their hard work, the Trust are delighted to invite the volunteers and Chester’s Den staff to enjoy a matchday hospitality package on Tuesday the 19th of September as the Spireites take on Halifax Town at the SMH Group Stadium.
Rob & Lynne Bonewell are two of the volunteers who have helped deliver the picnic bags throughout the summer and have seen how it has benefited the community.
Rob said: “It’s been mixed in terms of attendance at the camps, early on when the weather wasn’t great there weren’t that many children, but as the Summer has gone on it has got better in that respect.
“I’ve thoroughly enjoyed it and so have the others. We’ve all enjoyed it; it’s been great to go and see these children and the people who are running the sessions.
“It’s been a great thing to do throughout the holidays and they’ve all been really appreciative, it’s been really good.”
Praising the other volunteers and the Chester’s Den staff, Rob said: “It’s been a real team effort and that seems to be the place that this place (the HUB) works, everything is a team effort.
Lynne added: “It’s been really rewarding, and I’ve enjoyed doing it, it’s been a good laugh with the other volunteers.
Other members of the volunteer team included Malcolm, Alan and Gill who all access other sessions run by the Trust.
On the difference the project has made to the children within Chesterfield, Gill said: “Its been helping children who, without those camps, wouldn’t have had much else through the summer.
“It’s a massive help to underprivileged children and parents. The cost of living has gone up so much and they will be so grateful for that lunch, it was great to see their little faces, they were happy.”
Alan added: “Going in and seeing the smiles on the kids faces when you turned up with a bag of goodies and to see them in a park engaging in activities is great.
“The Trust and our small team have done a fantastic job.”
Malcolm recognised the importance of teamwork in providing the lunches, saying: “We’ve all come together over the last five or six weeks and we’ve just bonded like one happy family.
“It’s been fantastic going around and helping the kids, all they’d say to you is ‘thank you mister’ with a smile on their face.”
Rick, who works in Chester’s Den, added: “It’s been a really rewarding project, the staff and volunteers have been amazing in providing and delivering the meals, I couldn’t have asked for more from them.”
