Wolves Foundation: 'Nothing off limits when it comes to supporting those affected by pandemic'

The Feed Our Pack project, announced last month by Wolves Foundation, plans to address more issues around inequality across Wolverhampton than just food poverty.

Whilst the core aims of the initial three-year project are to support local foodbanks and organise Holiday Hunger activities for young people, nothing is off limits when it comes to adding support to those in the city who have been adversely affected by the pandemic.

And so, already, a digital element has been added to Feed Our Pack, with the Foundation donating and distributing laptops and other devices to address the digital divide which is affecting the local community.

Several schools and individual participants on the Foundation’s projects have already received devices to help them interact whilst lockdown restrictions continue, and it is hoped at some stage to extend the scheme for fans to donate any unwanted laptops which can then be cleaned and reconditioned for further use.

“Feed Our Pack is a campaign which aims to cover many of the different issues which have been caused by the pandemic,” explains Tom Warren, Senior Manager (Projects) with Wolves Foundation.

“Providing food to people who need it as well as activities for young people during the holidays are among the core aims of the project, but we are also aware of the digital gap in the community between those who have regular access to online learning and resources at home, and those who don’t.

“The government and the City of Wolverhampton Council have been doing their bit by distributing laptops to school pupils and adult learners, but we know this is a substantial problem and are hoping to help by providing additional support where we can.

Opportunity

“We have invested in a number of digital devices which we have started to distribute to selected participants who we know do not have access to anything at home, and that can be anyone across all of our projects.

“It might be to help schoolchildren with their learning, offer Kicks participants the chance to join an online workshop or to enjoy some gaming, give people the opportunity to engage with our Head 4 Health programme or ensure our Wolves Elders are able to keep in touch.”

Bantock Primary School and Eastfield Primary School have been among the early beneficiaries of laptops and tablets for selected pupils.

Leanne Hylton, Upper Phase Lead, at Eastfield, adds: “This equipment provides our students that are struggling at home with the opportunity to access the learning.”

And Jason and Steve, both participants on the Foundation’s Head 4 Health programme, have been equally appreciative of the support, meaning they can log on to zoom meetings and speak to fellow-minded participants while they are unable to meet in person.

Anyone wishing to support the Foundation’s Feed Our Pack campaign can do so by purchasing a ‘Virtual Ticket’ for the Liverpool fixture next month.

Visit www.wolves.co.uk for more details.