Derby charity appeals for more volunteers to support its 30,000 service users

A Derby charity is appealing for volunteers to support the record number of people who are asking for help.

Derby Food 4 Thought Alliance, which is based on Osmaston Road, works tirelessly to end food insecurity in the city and needs to grow its team of volunteers.

Paul Brookhouse, manager of the Derby charity, says it supported 7435 people in December with food: "We are an extremely small team at Derby Food 4 Thought Alliance, and we have a fantastic bunch of dedicated and wonderful volunteers - but we just need more. In one year, we can support approximately 30,000 people in Derby and sometimes, there simply isn’t enough hours in the day.

“We have compiled a volunteer wish-list, and it would be wonderful to hear from people who might have a few hours spare to help us.”

On the DF4TA’s website, the charity says it is looking for:

1. Fundraising and Event Support Volunteer: Could you help DF4TA’s fundraising work and provide support at local events during the year?
2. Food Parcel Delivery Driver Volunteer: Could you collect food parcels from one of DF4TA’s partner food banks and deliver them to household in need?
3. Volunteer Phone Line Support: Could you be the first point of contact for incoming telephone calls and take referrals from the general public, agencies and organisations and forward them on to fellow food partners?
4. Trustee: Could you join the charity as a trustee and help support the charity’s success moving forward?
5. Allotment Volunteers: Could you support the DF4TA’s allotment work and grow food for the food bank?

Debbie Jones, DF4TA’s Project Coordinator, said: “Our phone can ring up to 200 times a week and every call can be a cry for help from someone in need. It can be utterly relentless, but we are determined to support every referral that comes in.

“Another pair of hands would be so helpful – we have so many volunteer vacancies right now.

“The charity and the work we do can only get bigger and better if good people come onboard and give us some support.”

Last year, Rory Hay and Tom Starkey from a Derby-based PR agency, swapped a day in the office to help DF4TA’s campaign in Derbion’s Community Hub to support families in need of pre-loved and new school uniforms, PE kits, shoes and pumps.

Tom said: “I really enjoyed helping DF4TA and I know it made such a difference to them. Rory and I were set the task of packing up and moving some of the school uniforms out of the Derbion, and into the charity’s storage unit. It was hard work but very rewarding.”

Paul at DF4TA said: “By partnering with DF4TA, you will be making a difference within our very own community. Helping us to meet the immediate need of food and other insecurities people face within the city, while engaging your own employees in giving back and supporting those in need.

“If you want to get hands on and help us then we’d love to hear from you.  You could even make us your Charity of the Year or hold regular food drives in your office. We are always happy to invite businesses to come and look round our central storage unit.”

The volunteer wish list can be found here.  To get in touch with Paul or Debbie at DF4TA on Derby (01332) 227718 or email info @ df4ta.com