Mansfield Building Society has donated £250 to Salcare, a Heanor-based charity that provides emergency food for individuals and families in the local area.

As well running a charity furniture shop, Salcare provides support and advice to those that have, or are, experiencing domestic abuse.

Salcare prides itself on being a ‘one-stop shop’, providing support for the people of Amber Valley and Erewash since 1977.

Since June 2020, Salcare has received 520 referrals to help more than 1,000 people needing support and numbers continue to rise as the coronavirus pandemic continues.

People are referred to Salcare from many agencies, including social services, job centres, housing agencies, GP practices, schools, mental health services, the police and other voluntary organisations, as well as walk-ins in need of Salcare’s help.

Millie Gackowska, domestic violence support worker at Salcare, said: “At Salcare our overall aim is to support vulnerable people in the community and to reduce the stigma of needing support so that people feel less isolated. The foodbank at Salcare supports local people who are experiencing hardship and financial exclusion. Donations like this from The Mansfield are invaluable to us and those we help.”

Richard Crisp, commercial development executive for the society, commented: “Services like Salcare have been vital to communities in our area, but in this unprecedented time, these services are being stretched beyond capacity.

“Many people are having to use foodbanks for the first time because of financial hardship brought on by job losses and Furlough, and it would be catastrophic if these services buckled at such a critical time.

“We’re pleased to be helping Salcare continue their invaluable work and hope our donation goes some way toward helping individuals get through this challenging time.”

Salcare now has plans to open a community shop where service users can buy affordable food to provide for themselves and their families. Its aim is to not only provide quality food at an affordable price, but also to support people with money management issues and help them get back to financial independence.

For more information about the services that Salcare provides, visit salcare.org.uk

Mansfield Building Society’s Community Support Scheme funds local groups and organisations in Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire and meets twice yearly to consider applications. To find out more or to download an application form visit mansfieldbs.co.uk/community-support-scheme/