Whitworth community project lights the way to support families and individuals

A volunteer-led community project that provides year-round food and support for families and individuals across Rossendale and Rochdale won an amazing five awards last year.

The Lighthouse Community Foodshare, based in Whitworth, is celebrating its fourth anniversary this month and is as busy as ever with more than 100 active clients on the books and more than 35 volunteers helping to run the free shop and collect donations.

In December, the project won Rossendale Business Awards Not For Profit category, sponsored by Woodcock Haworth and Nuttall Solicitors.

Co-founder Steve Gough said: “That was affirmation for our volunteers that what we are doing here is appreciated.

“I don’t think we realise just how much of a service we provide. We don’t just serve Whitworth but Rochdale and have clients as far away as Haslingden and Rawtenstall.”

Nominations will open for the fifteenth Rossendale Business Awards on 20 September and the presentation evening will be held at The Ashcroft in Whitworth on Saturday 30 November.

The Lighthouse operates from premises in Market Street which opens every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. Each day 20 people are booked in to have a free shop.

Maintaining the dignity of clients is very important and so, behind the counter through a door, there is a shop is set up in a back room so people can browse and select the items they need in private with help from volunteers.

Clients pay £10 a year and that entitles them to have a 15-minute shop every week.

Marilyn Jones, who co-founded The Soup Kitchen in Rochdale, also co-founded The Lighthouse and Amanda Greenwood, who had also been volunteering at the Soup Kitchen, now assists regularly at The Lighthouse since she retired.

Amanda said: “This year we were approached by Freudenberg, the mother company of Vileda, and that was when Lauren Matthews, who works for Vileda, began helping the project.

“Over four weeks, during the summer holiday, the company funded free activities and transport for parents and children and more than 100 people benefited.

“We try, as much as we can, to assess each person’s needs on a personal basis.”The Lighthouse is supported by businesses including: Asda, Tesco, Lidl, Marks and Spencer and Greggs who donate items that would otherwise be skipped. Volunteers then go and collect the donations.

The organisation used to benefit from a council grant from the householders’ support fund, receives regular donations from members of the community, holds fundraising activities and is seeking other financial support.

New volunteer Barry Lawton now travels from his Skelmersdale home every two weeks to help.

He said: “I know a committee member and I am not usually doing anything on a Saturday morning and this is a great opportunity to give something back.”

Anyone wanting to know more about The Lighthouse can contact lighthousefoodshare@gmail.com

Rossendale Business Awards is organised by Valley at Work which connects local businesses by holding monthly meetings.

This year, all nominees for a business award will receive a simplified online form to complete. To nominate a business or an enterprising person visit https://r-awards.co.uk/