We Open our Doors to Supporters and Partners

Last week we launched our ‘Help is Here, Hope is Here’ campaign at an event in the Hope Centre attended by a range of partner agencies and long term supporters.

We outlined how the aim of our campaign is to send a clear message that no one in our community should face hunger this winter. We listened as our local Independent MLA, Claire Sugden told us how, “At least once a week a constituent will cry in my office. They are broken by a broken system.” Ms Sugden confirmed what we regularly experience at the Hope Centre, that anyone can experience financial hardship, she said, “in my experience people using foodbanks are typically middle income.”

Ms Sugden joined representatives of a range of partner agencies and charities including representatives from the Education Authority, Causeway Coast and Glens Council and Support Hub PSNI, on a tour of the Hope Centre site. We showed them the wide range of work going on, including emergency services like the Trussell Trust Foodbank, clothes bank, and the Mobile Open Door van.

Paying tribute to the gathered organisations, CEO Ricky Wright said:

“All of you are here today because we recognise that Vineyard Compassion is a small cog in a much larger wheel. We really value the relationships that have been established and the partnerships that have been built across the community and voluntary sector. It’s clear to see the passion, determination and collective will to support the most vulnerable and see this community transformed and thriving.”

Programme Manager Miriam McAlister said: “Today I was so proud of our staff and volunteers; I feel so privileged to be part of such a committed team. Thank you for all your efforts today and every day!”