Gratitude was thrilled to welcome Sir Oliver Dowden KCB CBE, the local MP for Hertsmere, to its vibrant hub on Friday 19th July 2024.
The trustees and friends of Gratitude eagerly shared the charity’s history and showcased the bustling activity within the space, which was once the local library.
Sir Oliver’s visit began at the Gratitude Kid’s Corner, where he met Barbara, Gratitude’s event coordinator and an amazing Kid’s Corner volunteer, and Haseena, Gratitude’s specialist clothes operations manager. They demonstrated how local families are supported with clothing, essential baby supplies, and school uniforms and equipment.
As the local MP, Sir Oliver was keen to understand who is being supported and explore how his office could assist.
He then engaged with a group of Year 7/8 Shine Project volunteers from nearby Yavneh College, who had just completed their final shift of the term and academic year. They shared the immense satisfaction they gain from helping organise the space and stock shelves in advance of the charity’s service days.
In the kitchen, Sir Oliver met the longest-serving Gratitude volunteer; Enid, who, as Kitchen Manager, was preparing food parcels for school children.
Opened in 2022, the kitchen currently supports two schools with term-time food packages, with plans to extend this to four schools from September. The Gratitude Community Kitchen has significantly enhanced Gratitude’s ability to support those in need.
Founding trustee John Carlisle shared his vision of providing educational support for service users and their families. He discussed ideas for developing IT and language skills and converting the Board Room into a dedicated educational space.
Sir Oliver was impressed by how much has been achieved with limited funding, and John proudly highlighted the vital role of the volunteers, who are the heart and soul of Gratitude.
Sir Oliver then visited the foodbank area that is utilised as an any contribution bric-a-brac stall between sessions. It was being run by Gratitude’s friendly front of house grannies; Carol and Hilly, where community homeware donations are converted into financial contributions.
A Sunday volunteer and the social media copywriter, explained how this area transforms into a foodbank three times a week. Sir Oliver learned how each day, volunteers collect food donations in the Gratitude eco friendly vans from the Amazon depot, supplemented by essentials funded by contributions from the Borehamwood hub and the newly opened Gratitude Upcycle Store.
Each donation supports the foodbank and Kids Corner, ensuring those in need receive help without question or judgment, all delivered in an environmentally friendly way.
As the visit concluded, the trustees presented Sir Oliver with the Gratitude 10-Year History Book, commemorating a significant milestone in the charity’s evolution. This memento reminded him of the support he has provided since 2015, including a Cooking and Sharing visit, where he helped prepare samosas, joining the efforts on Mitzvah Day in 2017, and attending the Gratitude Official Opening ceremony in 2021.
Sir Oliver expressed his admiration for Gratitude’s remarkable achievements, acknowledging the vital role of volunteers and community donations.
He also acknowledged that support from local businesses such as Folia-Europe run by Mark Wheeler, Gratitude’s guardian angel, ensure the charity has financial security to be able to provide more services going forward.
Sir Oliver pledged his continued support and looked forward to ongoing collaborations.
Gratitude extends its heartfelt thanks to everyone who makes Gratitude the incredible place it is today. Those interested in volunteering with Gratitude are encouraged to contact info@gratitude.charity.
