Meet Shauna: Our First Foodbank Ambassador

Welcome back to our Meet the People Behind Wirral Foodbank series, where we're getting to know the people who help make our work possible and support local people across our community.

This time, we're introducing Shauna, our first officially appointed Foodbank Ambassador, who has been organising food collections in her local neighbourhood for several years.

After a long career in teaching, Shauna retired a few years ago and decided to put some of her time into something she feels passionately about, supporting people experiencing food poverty.

We caught up with Shauna to find out what inspired her to get involved, how she brings her neighbours together and why even a small local collection can make a difference.

A personal reason to get involved

Shauna's connection with the Foodbank began back in November 2020, when she decided to organise a collection in her street using the Foodbank's Advent calendar as a guide.

It was her first street collection, and the response from her neighbours was incredibly generous.

But her motivation to support the Foodbank goes back much further.

Shauna has always felt strongly about the impact of food poverty, particularly on children. Her father grew up in a large family with very little money and often spoke about how difficult his childhood had been.

“He always stressed how hard it had been, particularly on children. He had a very difficult childhood and that really influenced me.”

It is this personal connection that has stayed with Shauna and encouraged her to continue supporting local people through Wirral Foodbank.

Bringing the neighbourhood together

What started as one collection in 2020 has now become a regular part of life in Shauna's neighbourhood. Her street organises two collections each year, bringing neighbours together to donate food and essential items.

And the process doesn't need to be complicated.

Shauna uses a street WhatsApp group to ask who would like to take part. Those who are interested can then drop their donations into a collection box outside her house, making it easy for people to contribute even if she isn't at home.

Once the collection is complete, Shauna brings everything together and another neighbour helps her deliver the donations to Wirral Foodbank.

She has found WhatsApp particularly useful because so many people already use it, making it an easy way to communicate and organise collections.

For anyone thinking about becoming a Foodbank Ambassador, Shauna's advice is to start with people you already know and have a connection with.

After the first collection, she says, the process becomes much easier. Reach out to a group of friends, family, neighbours or colleagues, find out who would like to get involved, and create a list of items needed.

Checking the Wirral Foodbank website is also a good way to make sure you're collecting the items most needed at that particular time.

It's a simple approach that shows how a small group of people, working together, can make a real difference.

More than just food collections

Shauna's support doesn't stop at collecting food.

This Christmas, she and her neighbours are planning something a little different in the form of a small neighbourhood Christmas party.

Usually, guests would bring a bottle of wine or a box of chocolates, but this year they're being encouraged to make a cash donation to Wirral Foodbank instead.

The hope is to raise a few hundred pounds to help support local people.

It's a lovely example of how everyday social occasions can also become an opportunity to give something back to the community.

For Shauna, knowing that her efforts are helping people locally is what makes it all worthwhile.

“I like to know that we are helping people locally. There is a lot of inequality on the Wirral and many children being supported through the efforts of volunteers and donations.”

She also believes that organising collections does something beyond bringing in much-needed donations.

“Collecting donations brings people together and helps to inform us all about the struggles people are having in our area.”

One thing Shauna wants people to understand

When asked what she would like more people to know about Wirral Foodbank, Shauna is keen to highlight that the people receiving emergency food support are not always who others might expect.

People access the Foodbank through referrals, and many of those receiving emergency food parcels have children and are in work.

She also wants people to understand the pressure the Foodbank is under, with demand continuing to be a challenge.

It is a reminder that food poverty can affect people from all walks of life, and that the support provided by the Foodbank relies on the generosity of the wider community.

Every donation, whether it's a few essential items or a larger collection, helps us continue to support people when they need us most.

The people who make it possible

Of course, Shauna couldn't do it without the support of her neighbours.

“I couldn't organise a collection without my generous neighbours. They look at the suggested list of items needed and, time and time again, go out to purchase these for their local community. They have been a part of this for years and I am really grateful to them.”

It's this community spirit that makes local collections so special. One person might get things started, but it's the collective effort of everyone who takes part that makes the difference.

We're incredibly grateful to Shauna and her neighbours for their continued support, and we're delighted to welcome Shauna as our first official Foodbank Ambassador.

And finally... a little more about Shauna

When she's not busy organising collections or bringing her neighbours together, Shauna has another passion: her allotment!

“I am passionate about my allotment, I am finally getting some success, and it is a wonderful way to spend my free time.”

We're sure there will be plenty more opportunities for Shauna to put her community spirit to good use, and we're looking forward to seeing what her next collection brings.

A huge thank you to Shauna and everyone who gives their time, energy and generosity to support Wirral Foodbank. It really is Wirral people helping Wirral people.