Making a difference: How PfH and its supply chain are supporting local families
In 2023, staff at PfH launched a campaign to support local families. Two charities were identified – St Joseph’s Family Centre which provides mental health support services to children as well as emergency welfare packages for families struggling with the cost of living, and Cash for Kids, which supports children and young people affected by poverty, illness or neglect.
“We wanted to use our connections with suppliers to make a difference locally,” explains senior category manager Judy Ashcroft who led this work. “We’re proud of the positive relationships we have with our suppliers and many of them have similar values to us – they were keen to help.”
Plumbing merchant Wolseley donated £5,000 to St Joseph’s Family Centre and another £5,000 to Cash for Kids. In total, £13,100 was raised for Cash for Kids with contributions from Aico, AKW, CEF, Hi Spec, Jewson, Wolseley, PPG and Scolmore.
“In the current social climate, it is really important to support local communities,” comments Dave Woodward, director of key accounts, social housing at Wolseley. “We’re really proud to support Inprova’s two charitable groups, helping children and their families when they need it the most.”
Jo Wilkinson, centre manager at St Joseph’s explains what a difference the money has made. “We offer an emergency service if people have used all their food bank vouchers or if a school have a family in crisis. Our partnership with PfH helps us to send out food hampers, grocery vouchers and presents for children and families.”
“We sent out 104 emergency food parcels, plus baby boxes and children’s clothing to families who were struggling financially. This was made possible through donations from local businesses such as PfH and Wolseley. There is a real need, and we can’t bridge it alone, we need local corporate support.”
But PfH’s involvement didn’t end there. A team of eight staff including head of procurement, Neil Butters and category manager, Stephanie Johnston have delivered food parcels to 44 families in Warrington.
The money donated to charity Cash for Kids has benefited many local families, too.
“Last year we started to see the impact that the cost-of-living crisis was having on local children”, explains Jess Rigby, charity manager at Cash for Kids. “We received requests for food, electricity, nappies, baby milk, beds and bedding and school uniform, all the essentials.”
Jess Rigby describes how many families have been concerned about affording uniform and some kids ended up wearing school shoes that were too small. One parent didn’t want to send her child back to school as she couldn’t afford smart shoes.
“When we met with Inprova, we could see their passion and enthusiasm for wanting to support local children in our community and we were so grateful they could help us.”
Cash for Kids used the £13,100 donation to support children through different community organisations. In Birchwood, 20 children from a local primary school have been supported with uniforms and food. Warrington Foodbank gave food parcels to 80 children. Eight young people received warm clothing and fresh food through Warrington Youth Zone’s Buddy-Up programme. In Liverpool, Centre 56, a charity providing support for people affected by domestic abuse supported 67 kids with uniform, stationery and food.
Inprova’s Judy Ashcroft is determined to keep this momentum going. She is working with suppliers Aico and Wolseley to create a virtual tour of St Joseph’s Family Centre so children who come for counselling know what to expect. Planning is also underway to support children during the summer holidays when free school meals aren’t available.
“As a company working in the public sector, we have an opportunity to use our knowledge and our networks to positively impact the local community,” Judy comments. “So many suppliers have helped, and it feels like this work is only the start.”
