Audacious Foundation ‘gives big’ to support pandemic’smost vulnerable

Audacious Foundation is a charity that was created to tackle some of the biggest issues faced by the communities of Greater Manchester, including poverty, homelessness and family challenges.

The finalists oflast year’s Springboard Heroes awards were nominated for their‘The Big Give’programme,which worksin partnership with Audacious Church, social services, schools and local supermarkets to ‘give big’ to thosewhoneed it most.

Since then, theTrinity-based charity has expanded theirservices into Bury,Stockport andCheshireand is continually looking at waystosupportthemost vulnerablewithin the community.

Like many charities,they have been inundated with requests forhelpfrom people who arestruggling as a direct resultofthe COVID-19 pandemic.

Thankfully for the people who rely on their support, they have been able to adapt their services. This includes serving the homeless with freshly prepared hot mealsand distributing over 350 takeaway packs to those who are still on the streets in the last monthalone.

They have continued to support families affected by cancer with crucial transport to hospital appointments and over-the-phone befriending, plus they’veprovided over 60 language students with online classes every week.

Laura Howard,programmes director of Audacious Foundation, said“This year’sThe Big Givehasbeen helping to meet the extra demand created by the pandemicacross Salford and beyond.

In partnership with local schools, healthcare teams, social workers and supermarketswehave been able to distribute over 150 food hampers and essential items a week.This totals around 22,000 mealsand weplan to continue delivering over the school summer holidays.”

“As a result of the impact of the pandemic onpoverty, mental health, unemployment and family issues,we are now in the process ofreviewing howwecan respond to the significant need people will face over the coming months.We’re grateful to all of our volunteers, donors and partners forcontinuing to make this all possible.”

Audacious Foundation iscurrently operating on a referralsystem:Simply follow audac.us/help to request support for yourself or on behalf of someone else.

Voting for the third annual Springboard Heroes awards opens on Monday, 13 June.

The winner will be announced during Love Your Neighbourhood Week, which takes place from 17 – 21 August.