The Junction Multibank in Middlesbrough offers essential support to families facing hardship during the cost of living crisis
Middlesbrough: You know how some things are just taken for granted? Well, for many families relying on the North East’s first multibank, those everyday items feel like a gift from Santa. It’s like Christmas came early for them.
The Junction Multibank opened last month, thanks to former Prime Minister Gordon Brown, and it’s all about helping folks who are really feeling the pinch right now.
This place, run by a local charity called The Junction, is being called a “lifeline” for families in the area, especially when they hit tough times.
And get this: in just a few weeks since opening, people don’t have to pick between food and heating anymore. They can actually have both!
During the busy holiday season, The Northern Echo took a peek inside The Junction Multibank to see the amazing work happening to support the community.
This massive 12,000 sq. ft donation hub, co-founded by Gordon Brown and Amazon, collects surplus goods from businesses and hands them out to social workers, teachers, and charities to help families in need.
They stock all sorts of stuff, from clothes to cleaning supplies, and it’s all about making life a bit easier for those who need it most.
Simon Nott, the manager, has been with The Junction for a while now. He says the multibank is tackling some serious poverty issues in the area.
In fact, the Tees Valley has one of the highest child poverty rates in the country, which is pretty alarming.
Amazon stepped in to help set up the warehouse and even sent over some staff to train others on how to run things smoothly.
Simon mentioned that the Amazon team will eventually hand over the reins to The Junction staff, making it a fully local operation in about three years.
In just the first week of December, they managed to distribute a whopping 107,000 items to over 11,000 households, helping around 32,700 people!
To keep the mission in mind, they even set up a wall of quotes in the warehouse that really hits home. One note read, “I can’t afford to keep the heating on for too long… my kids were kept warm because of your help.”
Another person shared, “I can get out of bed without my feet freezing.” It’s heartwarming and heartbreaking all at once.
And it’s not just families with kids who are benefiting. One note from an elderly couple said, “We are both in our 80s struggling – we’ve been kept warm by your help of cozy blankets and thermal vests.”
One woman, who wanted to stay anonymous, told The Echo that everyone at The Junction is really putting their heart into this work.
She said, “When I pack an order, I know it’s going straight to kids who might have shown up at social services with just the clothes on their backs.”
She added, “It’s a lifeline. We’re making a massive difference, and that means a lot.”
With so many people having to choose between buying soap or food, it’s a relief that they can now have both.
According to a recent report, at least one in four kids in the North East is growing up in poverty. Tim Coyle, a worker at The Junction, knows this all too well.
He said, “The community of Teesside needs support – they need the multibank. It helps people through their crisis points.”
Tim believes that while essentials are crucial, the impact on mental health is just as important.
Another worker, Kyra Cullen, said she’s all about helping others. “It’s about helping children and families,” she explained.
Amazon worker Sandra DaSilva, who’s from Middlesbrough, decided to join the multibank because she saw the need for help in the area.
She said, “When we’re packing orders, we get to see the stories, so we try to add in some extra stuff.”
As Christmas approaches, the multibank has welcomed volunteers to help prepare hampers filled with goodies, thanks to donations from various companies.
During The Echo’s visit, a team from Biffa was busy packing hampers, and Donna Livingstone, who works there, felt great about giving back to the community.
People who received help were more than happy to share how much it meant to them. One parent of a young carer said, “I was dreading Christmas knowing I couldn’t afford presents for them.”
After receiving the hampers, they were in tears, grateful that their kids would have a Christmas after a tough couple of years.
Another young carer’s mother said, “This is honestly amazing. We haven’t celebrated Christmas for a while, and this will really help make this year extra special.”
Chris McEwan, a trustee of The Junction, visited just before Christmas and highlighted how impactful the multibank will be for those facing poverty.
He’s proud of the support they’re providing to families and individuals, ensuring no one struggles alone this holiday season.
Beth Major, the chief executive at The Junction, added that they’re able to support thousands of families who would otherwise be in a tough spot this year.
For more info, check out The Junction’s website.
