Nottingham Catenians Support Local Families through Food4Thought project

In response to the ongoing challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, in early 2021 Nottingham Catenians launched an ambitious initiative to support local families in need. Known as Food4Thought, the programme has already provided £16,000 of much needed financial assistance to families through four inner-city Catholic primary schools in Nottingham.

The initiative was proposed by Nottingham Catenian Gerard Whittle during a time when communities were facing unprecedented hardships. At a monthly Zoom meeting, members of the Nottingham Catenians discussed ways to make a meaningful impact on their local community. Recognising the acute needs of children and families during the pandemic, they decided to focus their efforts on local support rather than international charity work.

After consulting with Mr. James McGeachie, CEO of the OurLady of Lourdes Academy Trust, Nottingham Catenians chose to support families through monthly allowances. These funds are distributed to four of the Academy’s Catholic primary schools in inner-city Nottingham, with headteachers identifying families in need. To ensure privacy, the identities of the recipients remain confidential, known only to key school personnel.

On March 8, 2021, Nottingham Catenians announced the first deposit of £640 into the Our Lady of Lourdes Trust central budget, with each school receiving £160. The first donation was made on April 1, 2021, and since then, Nottingham Catenians, their wives and widows have rallied together to raise over £16,000 by the end of the 2024 financial year.

The schools benefiting from this initiative are:

- St. Augustine’s School, St Anne’s

- St. Mary’s, Hyson Green

- Our Lady of Perpetual Succour, Bulwell

- Our Lady and St. Edward’s, Thorneywood

Each school has used the funds in unique ways, either by supporting different families each month or providing ongoing assistance to a single family. One school representative said, “The family are very appreciative of the money. I know that they would be requiring support from the local food bank without this extra money. It is being spent on very basics to ensure the children are well and provided for.”

One of the head teachers told us “The Catenians are unsung heroes in our school community. Their generosity means that those most vulnerable to food poverty in our community are supported. We are so thankful for their ongoing support.”

Another head teacher said “The families have been overwhelmed and so appreciative of the financial support they have received. Regularly the money has been used to put food on the table, in another case the money has contributed to bus travel costs, which increased a child’s attendance at school, and the money has also been used to purchase school uniform from the local supermarket. As a school, we are extremely grateful to be able to give this money to our families, without expecting them to prove their level of need or justify the expense they face. Thank you.”

Nottingham Catenians are committed to continuing their support and making a difference in the lives of local families. As they enter the fourth year of the Food4Thought initiative, the Nottingham Catenians remain dedicated to helping their community navigate these challenging times.