Staff from J Tomlinson have collected and donated food in support of a wider initiative helping to feed the homeless.

The company is currently undertaking kitchen and bathroom replacements at James Court, Burton, on behalf of housing association client, Midland Heart, which maintains the building. Managed by independent charity Burton YMCA, James Court is one of three sites across the area that provide temporary accommodation for individuals who have experienced homelessness. The charity also offers emotional support through counselling and mediation services.

Each year, Burton YMCA collects a variety of food items in preparation for distribution to local homeless people, from breakfast and beverages to “staples” including pasta, rice and vegetables. The collected items are then made into food parcels, which are issued to those in need throughout the year. Sweet and savoury treats are included within the parcels, as are essential toiletries, including sanitary products, toothpaste and shower gel.

J Tomlinson’s site team contributed to the cause by collecting over £80 worth of food donated by direct employees and subcontractors responsible for delivering regenerative schemes on behalf of Midland Heart. The food has now been handed to Burton YMCA at the Burton-on-Trent site.

Rehana Bi, housing manager at James Court, Burton YMCA, commented: “I would like to thank J Tomlinson for their kind donation of food, which will help many families in the Burton area. The renovation work being completed by them at James Court will benefit several of our residents by providing them with new kitchen and bathroom facilities. “

Now in its 15th year, YMCA Burton’s food bank is run by volunteers who – in 2017 – handed out 1,500 food parcels, helping over 1,980 people in the Burton-upon-Trent area.

Ant Newton, regeneration director at J Tomlinson, added: “At J Tomlinson, we are passionate about benefitting our local communities in any way we can. With statistics showing that over 50,000 people in the UK are currently homeless, we were particularly keen to support the incredible work YMCA Burton do on a daily basis to help feed those in need. We hope our donation will benefit a few of the many disadvantaged individuals in the Burton area.”

Brian Walker, who is currently a resident of the YMCA’s James Court site, commented: “I was homeless for over three years, and one of the hardest things about being on the streets is not knowing where your next meal will come from, and how long you will have to go without eating. The donation of food parcels is an invaluable gift to those in need, and I will always be thankful to the YMCA for helping me in my own time of need. J Tomlinson are doing a great job of the new kitchens, and their own donation will help feed even more people in the local area.”

Nottingham-based J Tomlinson, which works primarily across the East Midlands, West Midlands and Yorkshire, offers a range of integrated building solutions covering the whole building lifecycle from construction to refurbishment, repairs and maintenance, mechanical and electrical services and facilities management. For more information about J Tomlinson, visit www.jtomlinson.co.uk.

The Burton YMCA’s charity core work and principal activities are – and have always been – focused on benefitting the public and communities through Housing, Winter Night Shelter, Outreach, Foodbank, Mediation and Counselling.

For details of how you can also support YMCA Burton visit www.burtonymca.org or call the main office on 01283 538802.