Alford Hub: Helping the Lincolnshire Community
The Alford Hub, a support system that sprouted amidst the pandemic, continues to grow, serving the residents of Lincolnshire in various capacities. Founded by Lynette Pryke in March 2020, the organisation has become a lifeline to countless locals over the course of the last three years.
Services Offered
Besides offering assistance during lockdown, the Alford Hub now includes multiple teams, each providing specialised assistance from uniform and baby clothing racks to free prescription delivery, hospital discharge support, crisis response and a telephone help-line. As part of their services reflecting practical support for all vulnerabilities, the charity has provided more than 48,000 items through their uniform bank.
Lynette Pryke on Alford Hub
"We are funded entirely by donations, grants and fundraisers. We have seen an awful lot of people that are working and don’t get benefits but the cost of living is pushing them to the edge. We are currently working on putting 6,000 packages that will be going to the most vulnerable people across the county."
Moreover, Lynette Pryke highlighted the diverse support provided by the hub, ranging from providing professional clothes for work interviews or funerals, to assisting victims of domestic violence with a safe house.
Clothing Bank Initiative
"It’s open to everyone, there is no criteria to meet to use us other than the fact they don’t sell anything that they take. It helps people financially and it also stops clothing from going in the landfill."
Jan Parrott, a volunteer since April 2020, emphasised the benefits of the clothing bank initiative, which operates on a non-profit model and helps to reduce landfill waist.
Fundraising for Alford Hub
Recently a western-themed fundraising event, organised by volunteer Shaney Fretwell and her family, generated upwards of £600 in support of Alford Hub. The attendees were entertained by members of the British Westerners' Association (BWA), who were instrumental in envisioning the charity night and also contributed a £100 donation.
Lynette's Gratitude
"It costs £30,000 a year to run Alford Hub, it’s things like rent, insurance, internet and phones. But what a return we get for £30,000 with what we can do to help people. The hub is so grateful for fundraising events like this, and the group is all about the community helping the community."
Maintaining the vital services of the Alford Hub costs £30,000 annually, covering overheads such as rent, insurance and communication expenses. Lynette, who narrowly survived a personal bout with Covid-19, emphasised the organisations gratitude for fundraising endeavours and reiterated that the Hub is "the community helping the community."