The Aston Villa Foundation, Active Wellbeing Society and wider #BrumTogether network have teamed up to collect clothing from across the city and redistribute it to vulnerable residents.
The Academy Building at Villa Park has been turned into a giant storage, sorting and distribution warehouse for the clothes, which will be distributed by #BrumTogether and the Aston Villa Foundation through a range of community partners and organisations.
The launch of ‘Wear & Share’ comes on the back of the work already being delivered by #BrumTogether, which includes providing vulnerable and disadvantaged individuals and families with food and hot meals and baby, hygiene and children’s pack donations.
The Aston Villa Foundation is also working with The Active Wellbeing Society to expand the reach of their Villa Kitchen initiative.
Fresh meals are being prepared in the stadium kitchens and distributed through charities and community groups to some of the most vulnerable people in the city. At the last count, over 600 meals were being cooked and distributed on a weekly basis through a network of community partners.
Jen Tullett, Neighbourhood Engagement Officer at the Aston Villa Foundation, said: “We are delighted to be partnering with The Active Wellbeing Society and other community groups on the Wear & Share project.
“This is a coordinated response to a need that has been identified by those working with people and communities facing the biggest challenges during this difficult time. We are more than happy to utilise our facilities, staff and networks to help to try and address this need.”
Karen Creavin, Chief Executive of The Active Wellbeing Society, said: “Wear & Share is the next phase of the #BrumTogether campaign. Our aim is to reach out to and support those who most need help during these challenging times – not only does this involve providing them with food and other and other essential supplies, but clothing too.”
#BrumTogether is a city-wide network of more than 60 partner organisations, charities and groups in Birmingham, co-ordinated by The Active Wellbeing Society.
The network is working together to help the community and provide people most in need with essential support and services.
Organisations wanting to get in touch to either donate clothing or arrange clothing collections for those in need, please contact the Active Wellbeing Society on 07595 914685 or 0121 728 7030; or email them on wearandshare@theaws.org.
