Avalunch
TfR CASE STUDY: AVALUNCH
Avalunch is part of the Mexborough Baptist Church, led by a group of volunteers who provide a service for isolated and socially immobile individuals and the elderly. They provide a healthy living service that caters for individuals’ emotional, social and nutritional needs.
The Avalunch service includes a community café, which is attended by 200 people on a weekly basis and a ‘plate for a mate’ takeaway service, which means those attending the café can take a meal for a friend, relative or neighbour who can’t get there themselves. A meal delivery service is currently being developed after a demonstrated need was identified
Avalunch had received funding for several years, but they needed support to move on to the next stage of development. TfR provided direct support to Avalunch and also worked in conjunction with other support agencies to enable their development towards being a Social Enterprise.
The situation:
The Development worker for Avalunch, Michelle Swann, tells why she contacted TfR : ‘we contacted TfR because we wanted to move on from being a community group and start looking at ourselves as a real organisation - we had some policies and procedures in place, but everything was very basic. We had lots of different groups supporting the services, but nothing was joined up! We called in the TfR adviser when we needed advice on how to take forward change in the structure of our organisation to be able to fulfill the needs in the community’.
How TfR helped
‘TfR facilitated an excellent awayday that not only drew out our thoughts and ideas and pulled together the structure of our organisation, but also helped staff and volunteers gel. It was the TfR Adviser’s idea that we all got away from our usual surroundings - and being away really worked - we came away from the event inspired!’ says Michelle. ‘After the awayday the TfR Adviser met with the management committee to identify roles and responsibilities, put systems in place and facilitate a finance workshop’.
What was particularly valued about the support received?
‘The TfR Adviser provided a fresh pair of eyes to Avalunch’ and I was also able to use her as a sounding board in my work’, says Michelle ‘Its been really good to have such sound support and the mentoring that she provided to me has helped support difficult decisions that we have had to make- in particular those around staffing issues ’. Michelle continues, ‘It’s clear that TfR aren’t in this business for the money; with TfR there’s always someone at the end of the phone. Key to our work is that marginalised groups are our beneficiaries, and we needed to keep this caring Avalunch ethos, whilst becoming more professional. We were in danger of losing that ethos, but TfR are aware of these issues and supported us through this’!
What have been the results?
‘We are now operating a ‘plate for a mate’ service and a ‘meals to door‘ service at Avalunch. On a personal basis’, says Michelle,’ I had an idea for a new project, and after working with Shahida, the TfR Adviser, at Avalunch, I have the confidence to put that idea in to practice - I am currently developing a multicultural and ethical women’s network that will support and inspire women to develop themselves and achieve their life goals. I have now achieved the Institute of Leadership and Management Certificate, Women into Social Leadership Award – and Shahida was with me to receive it because she had been my mentor and she had helped to give me my new confidence!
To find out more, contact TfR or Michelle Swann, Avalunch Community Services, Mexboro’
