Framework Urgently Seeking Volunteers and Donations

Framework, which provides accommodation and support to some of the most vulnerable people in the East Midlands, is appealing urgently for volunteers to help with its work and for businesses and members of the public to donate food and other essentials.

The charity needs help to support more than 1,000 people with whom it works who need particular help as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic: these are homeless people living in its hostels and vulnerable people which it supports in the community.

They are urgently seeking:

• Volunteers to support staff and service users in its services
• Volunteers willing to drive and make essential deliveries to Framework services and service users
• Donations from the public, particularly of non-perishable food, soap, towels, toiletries and cleaning products 
• Donations from businesses particularly of fresh and non-perishable food and takeaway food containers

To channel the public’s enthusiasm to support its work, Framework has established a Volunteer Response Team: people interested in volunteering should email [email protected].

UPDATE (2 April): Latex gloves and face masks urgently needed
Framework is desperate for face masks and gloves, as our frontline workers are supporting homeless and extremely vulnerable people, some of whom now have symptoms of the virus. We obviously expect many more service users (and staff) to become unwell over the coming weeks and months. Please email [email protected] to arrange a collection.

Framework has set up ‘donation hubs’ across Nottinghamshire and will be adding venues in Lincolnshire where the public can donate items specified below. The hubs will operate on Tuesdays and Thursdays each week from 10am- 3pm starting this Thursday (2 April).

The donation hubs are located at:

• Nottingham: The Training Centre
  Unit 2, Lillington Road South, Bulwell, Nottingham NG6 8HJ. On the left beyond the Frank Key building yard.
  
  
• Newark: The Exchange Business Centre
  Newark, NG24 1HA. Access Framework via the Handley Court turning off North Gate; take the first right and the car park is ahead. Do not attempt to access via Water Lane. 

• Non-perishable items
  Tins and jars - beans, tomatoes, pasta sauces, spaghetti/hoops/ravioli, tinned fruit and vegs, tuna,  soups, pot noodles, pasta, rice, frozen pizzas, porridge and cereal,  sweet biscuits, chocolate bars and snacks, cakes, tea bags, instant coffee, jams, peanut butter, chocolate spread, crackers and rice cakes, long life milk – in cartons and individual sachets.
  
  
• Fluids
  Fruit juices and squash.
  
  
• Baby products
  Nappies, baby wipes, baby milk, food, teething crackers.
  
  
• Toiletries
  Soap, deodorant, toilet rolls, shampoo, shower gel, body washes, toothpaste, toothbrushes, shaving products and sanitary products.
  
  
• Cleaning products
  Wipes, cloths, washing up liquid, anti-bacterial spray, bin bags.  Hand sanitisers, gloves and masks.
  
  
• Other items
  Bath sheets and hand towels. Please note: clothes are not a current priority.