Castle Douglas Development Forum has appointed Helen Cockburn as the new Food Bank manager for their Stepping Stones Project.
Helen Cockburn is the new Food Bank Coordinator of the Stepping Stones Project, taking on responsibility for running its food bank in Castle Douglas and linking with other poverty alleviation and support services.
The Stepping Stones Project earnt Castle Douglas Development Forum a place in ‘The Big Issues’ top 100 Changemakers of 2021 for providing an emergency food bank during the pandemic and working towards tackling poverty. Stepping Stones aims to help people in crisis in the Stewartry, and also offers guidance to support them to move forward and get the longer-term help they require to become more financially independent.
Carolyn Yates, CDDF Chairperson, says: “We are delighted to welcome Helen onto our team as the new manager for Stepping Stones. Finding ways to help people in and around our town to manage the prices rises for food, fuel and transport is, alas, becoming a bigger part of our activities as a charity whose main aim is to support the health and well-being of our community. Helen is brim-full of ideas which we hope to find funding for.”
Helen moved to the area 7 years ago to join an organic farm as part of the Worldwide Opportunities on Organic Farms and practice of sustainable agriculture. She moved on to work in Community Integrated Care as a support coordinator and has worked with the Forestry Commission and Galloway and Southern Ayrshire on the world’s first Dark Sky Conference.
Helen says: “I am very excited to be starting as the Manager of Stepping Stones Food Bank, I am currently getting to grips with the organisation and getting to know the wonderful team of volunteers. I am looking forward to working with CDDF and starting to work with other agencies to build upon providing further support for the community.”
If you are in need of help and would benefit from the services offered by the Stepping Stones project please contact: steppingstones@castledouglas.info or if in need of an emergency food parcel please call: 07730788335.
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