With years of loneliness behind him, John Williams walks out of the cold and into the warmth of JEDS’ Pantry in Wigan.
For weeks on end, the 31-year-old would only speak to his two dogs. Now - thanks to the leaflet that changed his life - he's found a new community of people, each looking to better their own lives, and everyone else's.
Church Wigan, an alliance of churches in the Greater Manchester borough, run seven pantries and warm hubs. They're named JEDS after the churches involved - St John’s, St Elizabeth’s, St David’s and St Stephen’s.
READ MORE: Brutal 'coward' killed innocent stranger for his Rolex in horror church attack
They provide those in need with ten to 20 item 'shops' filled with bread, beans, soup, vegetables, fruit and cereal as well as a ‘lucky dip’ - which could be anything special donated by providers.
The support that John Williams got from JEDS at St Stephen’s Church in Whelley proved ‘life changing’ for him. Now he helps out with volunteers who are all working hard to manage an ever-growing list of members who have fallen on hard times as a result of the cost of living crisis.
“I heard about this through the post,” he says. “It helped me out when I was struggling [both financially and mentally]. Now I want to help others in the same position.
“I’m from nearby in New Springs, and we all want to look after our own here. I come in, get the shopping I need, get a brew and help out where I can.
“This place has warmth both physically and emotionally because everyone is dead cheerful and positive. It has been life changing for me.
“It helps me out with food and improves my mental wellbeing because I see people. Since the lockdown I haven’t got out much and I only see my two dogs really.
“This gets people back into a good mood. It is just nice.”
The place exudes warmth and positivity as people walk in to get their shop and move next door for a free brew. ‘No judgement and inclusion’ is a key philosophy for Dean Kearsley, project leader, and his team at St Stephen’s.
He explained that they have seen a rise in demand for the service, which currently caters for 223 households - with an average attendance of 50 a week doing their 'big shops'.
“The atmosphere and environment here keeps people coming back," Dean explained. "Love thy neighbour is the attitude.
“It is encouraging neighbours to come back together like they were before. It does take time to be comfortable among people again.
“In terms of regulars we find an average of about 50 people, some on a weekly basis. It is not just the vulnerable coming in, but nurses as well for example.
“Many can manage three weeks of the four but have to come here for the fourth week. Getting over the threshold is the main hurdle to coming to a place like this.
“But if we can provide an environment that people want to come to, they will encourage others to join. It is a pride thing, they say ‘can I have this, can I have that?’ and we just say of course you can.
“We just say 'yes, take what you can'. The beauty of this is like-minded individuals all being together.”
One of their new regulars, Ziba Jabbari, a single mother who moved to the UK from Iran six years ago, was introduced to the church’s warm bank in November.
“I love coming to the church here and I’m always excited to come,” the 43-year-old said. "I even got a hug when I first walked in.
“When I come here I feel safe, included and part of the community. I enjoy coming here, I am always smiling.”
She was introduced to the pantry and warm hub by church member Jane McLoughlin who believes this work helps maintain the church ‘as an important part of the community’. The 81-year-old hailed the space as a ‘lifeline’ for those in need.
“It is very much about ‘love thy neighbour’ here,” she said. “It’s nice to know the church is helping and that people are responding because our members have put a lot of effort into this.
“This is a lifeline for some people. This is about reaching out, not just to those in the church community, but everyone.”
The effort of volunteers at JEDS and the support from the community and Wigan Council is highlighted as key to its survival by project leader Dean Kearsley.
The coordinator for the Balcarres Avenue site explained they’ve had tears from people in dire need, ‘but quickly turn them into joy’.
Many food donations come from big name supermarkets in the area and more recently, flowers from M&S. However, the local community has been a big support in providing manpower and bringing people in.
At St Stephen's, there are also activities and workshops at the warm space to keep people occupied with learning new skills.
The next step - coming in the new year - for JEDS, is debt management training which will help provide a more ‘holistic approach’ to dealing with the problem at hand.
The concept for Reverend Cathrine Cosslett, who oversees social justice for Church Wigan, is to bring people into church, help them in the short-term, and then give them the skills to survive without them in the future.
Read more of today's top stories here
READ NEXT:
-
Parents slam "rip off" and "rushed" Paddington Santa Experience at Trafford Centre
-
Police officer tried to punch through ice as others waded into freezing lake to save tragic children
-
Mum paid £3,000 by council after son misses school for four months
-
Wintry scenes in Manchester city centre as people huddle for warmth
-
'I need an urgent MRI scan but was told I'm over the weight limit'
