“Offer a helping hand, giving practical support to empower people to look after themselves and others”.
In 2018, SO18 Big Local started Townhill Helping Hub, a weekly drop-in that enabled residents to access online learning, job searching/CV writing support, housing/benefits advice and more. We also ran a weekly (term time) drop-in at our Harefield Hub, where residents could drop-in to find out what’s going on in the local area, have a cuppa and be signposted to any support they may need.
The introduction of Covid restrictions in March 2020 forced the closure of the Townhill Helping Hub but we then had the opportunity to get involved in a brilliant project to help reduce isolation and support more people to get online, so our digital & signposting offer was transformed. See SO:Let’s Connect for more information.
We ran our Bag A Lunch project during the summer holidays in 2018 – 2023, whereby we provided over 1700 packed lunches to children that attended the SCPA play-schemes during the school summer holiday and pop-up play sessions in other holidays, as we were conscious that the long summer holiday can be a challenge to some families without access to free school meals. In 2020, we ran our Mid-Week Top-Up events in Townhill Park and Harefield to provide local people with free larder staples plus supermarket surplus.
The Marketplace at Townhill Park
In 2021 we began researching what food provision is most needed locally, with a view to perhaps starting a local food pantry, and our thoughts that food remained a priority were confirmed by our Big Conversation. We teamed up with Southampton City Mission, City Life Church, Ascension Church and Southampton Vineyard Church, and were very excited when The Marketplace at Townhill Park launched in July 2022!
The Marketplace runs on a membership basis, providing members with access to affordable food in return for a membership fee. Membership is open to anyone with an SO18 2 postcode, or living in Vanguard Road, Vale Drive or Summit Way. If you’re interested in finding out more or would like to join the waiting list to be a member, please get in touch with Southampton City Mission on marketplace@southamptoncitymission.co.uk or see their website.
SO18 Big Local has also funded multiple NVR (Non Violent Resistance) courses in the Big Local area for parents that need additional support coping with children’s challenging behaviour. Our courses do not require referrals from agencies – families can self refer, and in doing so can get vital support before reaching the point of crisis.
Throughout the SO18 Big Local project we worked with SARC (Southampton Advice and Representation Centre) who over the 11 years we worked with them recouped well over £500,000 in welfare benefits for residents. They supported clients with everything from form filling to PIP appeals and support at tribunals. For example, in the final year of SO18 Big Local they were able to support a family – “a child who has autism was denied DLA, we [SARC] assisted with a good mandatory reconsideration, highlighting the areas in dispute. The case was overturned without the need to go to a hearing. The mother was then able to claim Carer’s Allowance and reduce the number of hours she worked to be able to better care for her daughter.”
Additionally we have provided space in our Harefield Hub for groups such as Natter Chatter, Autism Hampshire, Hand In Hand, the School Imms Service, Oasis Community Hub and more, so that residents can access support in the local area. We also recently funded Squirrels Corner pre-school to allow their staff/volunteers/parents access first aid training together, and Harefield Community pre-school received a donation from us as they worked to re-open after flood damage.