Throughout the third national lockdown in response to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic Oldham Athletic Community Trust (OACT) have supported their school network through the ongoing 'Food For Thought' initiative.
Already through the initiative OACT have delivered 3,000 items of fresh fruit and vegetables in the first lockdown, whilst prior to Christmas, with the fantastic support from the OAFC first team and club staff, they co-ordinated the collection and distribution of over 15,000 items to local schools, community groups & faith groups.
For the third lockdown OACT have provided schools within the borough to request upto £100 in Tesco vouchers, which can then be utilised in a range of different ways to best support the individual school networks.
One such school to access the OACT Food For Thought support is Werneth Primary School. Werneth Primary School believe that every child is entitled to the highest quality of teaching and learning. Staff aim for all Werneth Primary School children to be provided with the best education and excellent pastoral care in a supportive and nurturing environment.
Werneth Primary School, a current OACT school partner, have used their vouchers in partnership with The Magic Breakfast to re-launch the Werneth Primary School Foodbank.
Jonathan Bell, Werneth Primary School Principal, commented: “We know that so many families have been affected by the pandemic. Parents and carers have found themselves unemployed or with reduced incomes through no fault of their own. It’s heartbreaking to see the impact of this on families across the borough, so we are incredibly grateful to Martin and OACT for supporting the Werneth Primary School Foodbank and helping us to provide a community hub at a time of need.”
Martin Vose, OACT Head of Community, added: “We are absolutely delighted to support our local schools throughout such a difficult time, we are well aware that schools know their communities better than anyone and as such are best placed to provide the essential support needed. The idea of Teaching Assistant Paul Greenwood and the Werneth Primary School team to provide a foodbank is an incredibly innovative idea and will make a huge impact.”
To ensure the longevity of the foodbank to support pupils through the current lockdown, Werneth Primary School are seeking support from the local community. If you are able to support the foodbank please contact: j.hodgkiss@wernethprimary.org.uk
For more information on Werneth Primary School, please watch the video at https://www.wernethprimary.org.uk/our-school/