### Working at the Pantry: A Path to Better Communication and Culinary Skills
In a time when food prices are soaring and many families are struggling to make ends meet, North Tyneside provides a beacon of hope through initiatives like community pantries. One such volunteer, Rachel Fairless, has shared her inspiring experiences working at the Riverside Family Hub’s social supermarket, located in North Shields. This pantry not only offers help to those grappling with the increasing cost of living but has also played a vital role in enhancing Fairless’s communication skills and cooking ability.
Rachel Fairless, a 25-year-old woman with a background in care experience, was referred to the pantry initiative by the North Tyneside Council’s care leavers team. This space is dedicated to aiding families in need by providing essential food items at a nominal cost. The pantry operates once a week, offering a bag filled with a mix of store-cupboard essentials, frozen goods, and fresh produce, all for just £10. This affordability factor is pivotal in attracting individuals who are in desperate need of support.
Working at the pantry has been transformative for Fairless. She has remarked on the motivational impact it has had on her life, igniting a passion for cooking from scratch. Rachel now aims to pursue a career in the culinary arts, a path she credits to her hands-on experience at the pantry. She enthusiastically stated that she has learned to prepare a variety of meals, from curries and pies to crafting her own pizza dough.
Beyond just cooking, this volunteering experience has equipped Fairless with invaluable skills that extend to practical aspects of daily life, including budgeting and improved interpersonal communication. She shared that her role has kept her engaged in meaningful activities, allowing her to gain skills that can enhance her future employability. Fairless articulated, “The pantry has not only given me really useful skills and experience but also keeps me busy doing something that feels good.” Her emphasis on the holistic benefits of volunteering highlights how such initiatives can empower individuals in multifaceted ways.
The pantry at the Riverside Family Hub represents a collaborative effort, involving the North Tyneside Council, Future Foundations Health Information and Advice Virtual School (HIVE), and other local organizations dedicated to promoting youth wellbeing. According to Karen Clark, the elected Mayor of North Tyneside Council, the pantry serves dual purposes: providing affordable food and offering a nurturing environment for care-experienced individuals like Fairless to cultivate life skills. Mayor Clark noted, “The community spirit is palpable, and it’s evident that it’s bringing people together in a really positive way.”
The interrelation of food security and community building cannot be overstated. By allowing individuals like Rachel Fairless to participate actively in a project that not only meets immediate needs but also fosters personal growth, the pantry exemplifies a compassionate and constructive approach to addressing social challenges. It allows volunteers to carve a niche for themselves, gain confidence, and connect with others in their community, thereby enhancing their interpersonal communication skills.
In summary, Rachel Fairless’s experience at the pantry is a shining example of how volunteering can offer more than just the benefit of service. It enhances life skills such as cooking, budgeting, and communication, all while empowering individuals to forge their path toward their career aspirations. Through such community initiatives, more individuals can be provided not just with aid but with the tools necessary to thrive. As Rachel Fairless has demonstrated, the impact of such roles can resonate deeply, leading to lasting personal and social change.