Islamic Relief UK and One Roof Leicester work together to help some of the most vulnerable families in Leicester

Today, Islamic Relief UK supported local charity, One Roof Leicester to help over 500 people with winter food packs.

As families in Leicester continue to struggle financially due to the pandemic, the winter food packs with be supporting local vulnerable individuals and families especially those who are homeless.

The packs contained a variety of fresh food, including milk, bread, fruit and vegetables, some staple cupboard items such as pasta, rice, tinned meat and fish and some treats including cakes and biscuits.

One Roof Leicester has seen an increase in requests for support from individuals and families who face hardship because of cuts to universal credit, losing their jobs due to covid-19 and the pressures of higher cost of energy bills.

According to the University of Sheffield’s (2021) research into local food insecurity in Leicester, 3.67% of adults suffered from hunger, 11.46% struggled to access food and 12.10% worried about not having enough food.

Many people have been hit hard by the pandemic, especially low-income families, those suffering from domestic abuse, people who are homeless, asylum seekers and refugees. They continue to make difficult decisions between feeding themselves and their families or heating their homes.

Salma Ravat – Manager of One Roof Leicester said:

“We’re so pleased to be working in partnership with Islamic Relief UK to organise and deliver winter food packs. We will be delivering the food parcels to 500 people including families with children, pensioners, people who are homeless, refugees or asylum seekers. We see the financial pressures that the people we work with are under therefore the food we provide is a lifeline for many.”

Tufail Hussain, Director of Islamic Relief UK said:

“One Roof Leicester is doing incredible work to help families who have been financially struggling in Leicester. Statistics showing 11.46% struggling to access food in the area is unacceptable.

“We are proud to be partnering with One Roof to bring much-needed relief to vulnerable families this winter.”

ENDS

Notes to editors

For any questions or to request to interview one of our spokespeople, please contact: Jonaid Jilani: jonaid.[email protected]; 07872 403534;

About One Roof Leicester

One Roof Leicester (ORL) is a charity which provides accommodation and support to single people who are homeless or rough sleeping in Leicester. In ORL Homes, accommodation is provided in shared homes to single people who are homeless, destitute refugees & EU migrants and refused asylum seekers. Whilst in the home, each resident is supported by a key worker to help them to apply for benefits, housing, employment, training and eventually to move-on. In emergencies ORL will provide accommodation in local Bed and Breakfast hotels. To alleviate food poverty during the Covid pandemic ORL started delivering weekly food parcels to vulnerable individuals and families in Leicester.

About Islamic Relief

Islamic Relief is a faith-inspired, development and humanitarian agency working to transform and save the lives of some of the most vulnerable people in over 40 countries. Islamic Relief assists people according to need and does not discriminate in any way.

Set up in Birmingham in 1984 by a group of volunteers, we have assisted over 117 million people all over the world. We’re saving lives and empowering people to lift themselves out of poverty in over 40 countries – from Bangladesh to Bosnia, Pakistan to Palestine, Kenya to Kosovo. Islamic Relief is on the ground in some of the world’s most dangerous and difficult places – including Syria and Yemen – strengthening the most marginalised communities to withstand conflict and natural disasters and to build a brighter future. We also support vulnerable people in the UK in partnership with local charities and organisations.