In 2020-21 I volunteered for a local community organisation supporting people from the Woodgate area of Leicester during the pandemic. This community group became Woodgate Community Food. Since I moved away from the area in 2021, I have focussed on creating arts and wellbeing activities for the foodbank users as part of my freelancer creative producer work. Woodgate Wellbeing is a small pilot project funded by Places Called Home grant from The National Lottery and Ikea. It has also received a small grant from Leicester City Council Fosse Ward Funding.
It was not possible to run in-person activities at the foodbank over the winter because of both covid concerns and the lack of heating in the building. I decided to create a magazine of creative and relaxing activities which could be distributed to all foodbank users, along with a pack of materials for a smaller number who request it. There are in-person activities starting in late April when the weather should improve.
Ruth Singer 