URGENT APPEAL FROM FOOD AND COMMUNITY CHARITY AS WIRRAL RESIDENTS FACE“ GREATER NEED THAN EVER”
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URGENT APPEAL FROM FOOD AND COMMUNITY CHARITY AS WIRRAL RESIDENTS FACE“ GREATER NEED THAN EVER”
Wirral-based Neo Community has launched an urgent fundraising appeal to help it prepare for what it expects to be the most challenging winter in its history, with Wirral residents facing a greater need than ever.
Neo Community launched in 2013 with one clear belief: no one should go without, and community means belonging. What started as a small food support initiative has since grown into one of Wirral’ s leading charities, supporting tens of thousands of local people every year. Alongside food support and wellbeing, the charity works directly with children and young people – providing safe spaces, hot meals, creative opportunities, and youth programmes that help them thrive.
Each week, the organisation sees the impact of the cost-of-living crisis in Wirral, witnessing first-hand the reality behind the headlines: parents skipping meals so their children can eat, older residents sitting in cold homes to keep bills down, young people navigating a world that feels stacked against them.
Ema Wilkes, CEO at Neo Community, said:“ Food insecurity, fuel poverty, and social isolation are not abstract issues – they are daily struggles for thousands in our community. And while Neo is here to respond, the cost-of-living crisis is spiralling, and we can’ t do it alone.
“ While we work year-round, there are times when support is most critical – and winter is top of that list. January and February are the hardest months for many. After the strain of Christmas, families face rising bills, empty cupboards, and isolation. We are expecting this winter to be the most challenging one we have ever faced, with demand and need rising. While Neo remains committed to standing in that gap, we need help to do so.
“ That’ s why, this winter, we are asking individuals, businesses, and community groups to rally with us. We’ ve been fortunate to secure grant funding for many of our programmes, but the truth is grant funding is short-term and demand is long-term. If we are to continue to deliver vital services, we need deeper community involvement, stronger fundraising, and committed corporate partners who see the value of investing in people, particularly young people who are not only our priority today, but they are also the community leaders of tomorrow.”
To support its appeal, the charity has listed ways that individuals, businesses, and community groups can help on its website, from fundraising, regular and one-off donations and volunteering for individuals, families and community groups, to corporate partnerships, surplus food partnerships, and hospitality partnerships, where restaurants, bars, and cafés can support Neo Community by adding an optional £ 1 to customer bills, for local businesses. It has also set up a Go Fund me page.
Ema continued:“ There are ways to help whatever your means. You could sponsor a family’ s food for a week, provide gifts or essentials for an isolated older resident, or support Neo’ s warm hubs, food hubs and community meals through campaigning, or donating funds or your time.
“ We are incredibly proud of what our staff, volunteers, and partners have achieved – but Wirral residents are now facing a greater need than ever. That’ s why we’ re asking for you to stand alongside us and ensure our work can not only continue but grow stronger. We need you to back us in building long-term, systemic change, so we can create the Wirral we want to see- where no one goes without, voices are heard, and that is filled with compassion.
“ Change starts with one small action – and together, we can make it unstoppable.”
To make a donation: https:// www. gofundme. com / f / a64kk-neocommunity-needs-your-help
To find out more about helping Neo: Go to www. neocommunity. org. uk Call 0151 647 5981 Email: Support @ neocommunity. org. uk Visit its hub in Rock Ferry, CH42 3YN
20 wirrallife. com