The Construction Department donates food and clothing to a local homeless shelter

During December the Construction Department encouraged staff and students to donate food and clothing to people less fortunate than themselves.

A donation box was placed in every site, including the STEM centre and the Think Low Carbon centre to allow unwanted items to be collected. We had an overwhelming response, with the department managing to donate 14 bags of food and 3 boxes of clothing, which was then delivered to the Barnsley Churches Drop in Project for distribution to local people in need.

Four members of staff also volunteered to help out at the centre after work on the 18th of December. It was a busy night for the drop-in volunteers, because as well as supporting and feeding up to 80 clients they were also taking part in the Rucksack Project. Throughout the evening kind-hearted members of the public arrived with rucksacks filled with warm clothing, hats, gloves, sleeping bags and flasks of soup, which needed to be organised and then given as a early Christmas present to the clients to ensure they stay warm at the coldest time of the year.

The four volunteers helped out in a number of ways, with 2 members of Construction management washing the pots in the kitchens, our Tutorial Team Leader helped in the dining room interacting with the clients and the Tutorial Learning Mentor organised the stores and distributed the rucksacks.

The Drop-in Project is doing a great job working with vulnerable people within the Barnsley community and the volunteers found it very rewarding donating their time. The centre relies on donations, so we have agreed to hold another food collection for them in the summer.

Thanks to all the staff and students who donated to the cause.