Wellbeing is crucial to the overall health of an individual. Promoting strong feelings of wellbeing can help prevent stress and create a positive mental attitude in all walks of life. Focusing on wellbeing within work can be as simple as participating in a fun team building event or occasional away day.

Last week, as part of their Wellbeing Wednesday series of quarterly events, the Department of Enterprise and Engagement at CCCU left their desks for a morning of volunteering at The Canterbury Food Bank. Previous Wellbeing Wednesdays have included assisting in the harvesting of grapes at a vineyard, litter picking on the beach, arts and crafts, and preparing care packages for young carers.

The Canterbury Food Bank started as a community-led project, originally developed by a group of local churches in 2011, becoming a registered charity in August 2013. Its vision is to ‘Live in a society where food banks are no longer necessary’ and its charitable objective is ‘The prevention or relief of poverty or financial hardship in the Canterbury City Council district’.

Through the efforts of its volunteers and donations from the community, The Canterbury Food Bank can provide three-day food parcels to individuals and families who are in short-term financial crisis across Canterbury, Whitstable, Herne Bay and surrounding villages. Our department worked alongside the staff and volunteers to help pack food parcels and sort donations for those in need.

Liam Waghorn, Operations Manager for Canterbury Food Bank said:

‘We are incredibly grateful for the support of the staff from the Department of Enterprise and Engagement at Canterbury Christ Church University recently. When the team came in to help pack school holiday parcels and sort donations, it underscored the vital role that community partners play in our mission. It is through the generosity of businesses, organisations, and individual volunteers that our charity can continue to help those in need, raise awareness, and extend our reach in the community’. 

If you would like to find out more about The Canterbury Food Bank, you can find the website here: Canterbury Food Bank | Donate Now