“I’m looking for employment, so when the COVID Pandemic struck us, and when I first heard the news of the lockdown, I remember looking at myself and in the mirror, and feeling my heart sink. It felt like there were black clouds gathering around my head. To be sure I kept well on the inside, I looked outside of myself, and focused on helping my community!” - Ben
Ben was determined not to let the current situation overwhelm him and used his.
Volunteering his time at his local Food Bank, at Castle Hill Community Centre, he worked with the team ensuring that all referrals were followed up and food delivered. It was also through his new friends at the Food Bank that Ben became involved with the newly formed Suffolk Baby Bank.
Ben mentions that the challenges can be very hard, physically and mentally, but knowing what a difference it makes is so rewarding. One occasion was then a girl came to visit the Baby Bank with her gran, keen to donate some chocolate advent calendars to children less fortunate.
Ben has also recently joined forces with Joe Louis of Urban Growth Enterprise, a local non-profit organisation. Purpose built from the start, the garden will be at Bramford Road, Ipswich, will be a wheelchair accessible, integrated and safe space. Ben is hoping it can expand in the future with a Men’s Shed to promote positive mental health.
When he’s not helping there, Ben likes to spend his time with the Castle Hill Community Allotment, and last month produced a video to highlight the need for volunteers.
Ben is enthused to be continuing to support local charities, and believes that his late mother would be very proud of him, too.