Re:store based on Sheep Street in Northampton have received the well-deserved Business Hero status for their partnership working and rapid response to the Corona crisis in order to continue to deliver emergency provision.
Re:store is led by a small team of inspiring staff from Central Vineyard Church and a large team of incredible volunteers from the wider community who are all passionate about serving and loving Northampton, responding to need and giving freely.
In March, as lockdown happened overnight and many businesses and services closed their doors, Re:store rapidly reacted to the crisis, initially focusing all efforts on emergency provision. Working in partnership with social support services, charities and faith groups across Northampton they were able to provide a network of crisis intervention.
Anya Willis from Re:store said:
“As a key-service we have opened every week, over 4 days in 3 locations and a 4th site is due to re-open soon to provide better access to those in need. Growbaby has moved to a referral-based home-delivery service and so far over 132 families have received beautiful bundles of essentials and gifts on their doorstep weekly and Northampton Food Bank has put food on the table of over 2,000 adults and children across the town in the past 6 months.
We have an amazing team of volunteers and staff who have served on the frontline, giving so many hours often in uncharted territory. This includes the Food Bank & Growbaby Coordinator & mum of 5, who had only been in the job for 2 weeks when lockdown hit, but has managed operations every day since!
Our support team have worked tirelessly behind the scenes and from home, managing their family too during lockdown, completing jobs never done before, but we have ensured none of our staff have been furloughed and everyone has worked harder than ever.
These unsung heroes will not receive any national discounts or individual recognition, but will continue to love Northampton in all circumstances. We know Covid has impacted so many households in so many ways. There have been countless stories of people accessing Northampton Food Bank who previously would have donated, but now lost their only form of income, of families going without food for several days fearful of telling a professional how dire their situation had become, of women and children fleeing an abusive household where they were trapped during lockdown, and then waiting claims for government support.
Re:store is honoured to step in and support these people in our town.”
Do you have a ‘Business Hero’ in mind?
Our Business Heroes will be individuals or teams who, over the lockdown period, have:
Made a real difference to colleagues, family, and friends
Been passionate about making the town centre the absolute best it possibly can be
Been instrumental in making positive changes to the town centre
Given back – to the community, customers, and the town centre
Our Heroes must own or be employed by a Northampton town centre BID-levy paying business. Find out more and make a nomination HERE.
