In April 2023, the Middlesbrough Hub opened its doors with a vision to foster community engagement and empowerment. Fast forward less than a year later, and we’re thrilled to announce a remarkable achievement – the Middlesbrough Hub has been awarded the first ever Volunteer Academy Quality Award!

This incredible journey from inception to excellence within such a short timeframe underscores our unwavering dedication to creating a volunteer program that truly makes a difference. We’ve worked tirelessly to cultivate an environment of inclusivity, diversity, and equality, ensuring that every volunteer feels valued and supported.

Our collaboration with the Volunteer Academy (VA) has been instrumental in shaping our volunteer program into a model of excellence. Through their guidance and support, we’ve been able to refine our processes and practices to meet the highest standards.

Despite the challenges and uncertainties that come with starting a new venture, our team’s passion and commitment have propelled us towards this momentous achievement. It’s a testament to the hard work and dedication of everyone involved – from our volunteers to our staff and supporters.

Looking ahead, we’re more motivated than ever to continue serving our community with excellence and integrity. The Volunteer Academy Quality Award is just the beginning of what we hope will be a long and fruitful journey towards making a lasting difference in Middlesbrough and beyond.

Interested In Volunteering With Us?

Sign up Today!

Volunteer

In 2024, our commitment to reaching over 200 front-line charities remains unwavering. Among these vital organisations stands Hebburn Helps QAVS, a food bank nestled in the heart of Tyneside. The dedicated Hebburn Helps QAVS team have created a supportive and inclusive environment that uplifts those in need. At FareShare North East, we take immense pride in supporting their tireless work with a weekly supply of 160kg of surplus food, ensuring that they can continue serving those in need.

Recently, Hebburn Helps QAVS had the honour of hosting Vicky Pattison, who dedicated a day to volunteer at Hebburn Helps QAVS before embarking on her Arctic Circle Challenge to raise funds for Red Nose Day 2024. Vicky’s commitment to championing a local cause that truly matters has been nothing short of inspiring. Her involvement not only raises awareness of food insecurity but also highlights the importance of community support in addressing such pressing issues.

In a poignant reflection on the realities of poverty and hunger, Vicky Pattison stated, “Most of us associate poverty and hunger with something happening miles away, you don’t think it’s happening on your doorstep.” This sentiment rings true for many, but at FareShare North East, we confront these challenges head-on, providing vital support to our local community through weekly supplies of good-to-eat surplus food.

As we continue our mission to support those facing adversity, we remain deeply grateful for the support of individuals like Vicky Pattison and the ongoing generosity of our community. Together, we can create a brighter and more inclusive future for all.

Are you interested in receiving surplus food for your charity? Find out more here about how you can partner with us.

FareShare North East’s Employability Training Programme, delivered by Jason Meek, is back!

This Summer two employability training programmes (Warehouse and Logistics) will be delivered in two locations – at our warehouse in Westerhope (Newcastle) and in our new Teesside warehouse – Tees Food Hub. If you are interested, please see below for more information.

Teesside Programme (starts 30th May)

Based in our new warehouse (Tees Food Hub) at 4 Cannon Way, Middlesbrough, TS1 5JU. The programme includes the following:

For further information, to make a referral and/or to register for the programme please contact TFH Volunteering & Employability Coordinator Andy Popple tel: 07378 846 172 email: andy.popple@fareshare-northeast.org.uk

Tyne & Wear Programme (starts 5th June)

Based in our warehouse on Stamfordham Road, Westerhope, Newcastle Upon Tyne NE5 5HH. The programme includes the following:

Eligibility

To find out more please visit our web page ‘Employability Programme’ contact Jason Meek on 07309660694 or select ‘Employability Programme’ on the Contact Us form. 

The World’s Biggest and Best Half Marathon

For over 42 years, Newcastle upon Tyne has been the home of the Great North Run. The Great North Run is the world’s biggest and best half marathon with an unbeatable atmosphere and a course that takes in the iconic Tyne Bridge and finishes in the coastal town of South Shields.

We have 20 places altogether this year. If you are interested and keen to run on behalf of FareShare North East, please email [email protected] to find out more and details on how to sign up.

“Being from South Shields, it feels like a rite of passage to complete the Great North Run. I finally took the plunge in 2022 and what better way to do it, than fundraising for a local charity in FareShare North East, who play such an important role in the local community. While it was a tough day, it was also loads of fun and super rewarding. FareShare North East was very supportive along the way and I’m hoping to continue fundraising for them at future events!”

Jack, 2022 runner

Support our Runners!

Whilst our runner spaces are being filled, you can also support them and FareShare North East by raising money and donating the funds. The money raised goes straight towards supporting places that need food most across the North East to help people in need. Find out more about how you can donate. 

A fundraising dinner organised by a food re-distribution charity and leading Newcastle restaurant has raised almost £2,500. 

Local charity, FareShare North East, and Blackfriars Restaurant joined forces with Nourish Food School, Bidfood, Delifresh, Warren Buttersworth Catering Butchers, Cedarwood Trust, and Discarded Spirits to host a dinner in Blackfriars ornate 13th century banqueting hall.

The dinner which took place last Thursday included cocktails made from Discarded drinks brand, a three-course feast prepared and cooked by staff and volunteers from the charity using in-dated surplus food.

FareShare North East aim is to reduce food waste and tackle hunger by delivering surplus food to over 200 local organisations and charities that turn it into nutritious meals for people in need across the North East. In 2021, FareShare North East redistributed 1718 tonnes of food across the region, providing over 4 million meals to people in need. 

The banquet promoted awareness of the charity to the wider community and spread the word through a difficult time during the cost of living crisis to help people in need across the North East. 

Andy Hook, owner of Blackfriars Restaurant, who sits on the board of the FareShare North East said:

“The work that Fareshare North East do in the region is vital to help people across the region to eat well, especially in light of the economy at the moment.  We have been hosting this banquet for a number of years now and are delighted to have raised much-needed funds again this year for such a worthwhile cause.”

The funds will go towards FareShare NorthEast’s core operations, warehouse costs, safety equipment for volunteers, and the running of the seven delivery vans.

Fareshare North East is always looking for new partners whether that’s local food producers, suppliers, or distributors to ensure no food goes to waste and can be distributed effectively to benefit both the environment and the local community. You can make a difference now!

If you would like to get involved, please contact [email protected].

Get Involved

No one should have to go hungry this Christmas. 

It has been an incredibly tough year for many with an ever-increasing number of people unable to afford the food that they need to feed their families and themselves. Millions more people are being forced into food poverty in communities across the region, and are facing unprecedented levels of economic hardship. The rise in the cost of living has impacted food prices, which has meant that the demand for food this year has skyrocketed and this situation is likely to worsen over the winter.

FareShare North East works with the food industry to access surplus food, that would otherwise go to waste, and delivers it to a network of over 200 charities and community groups across the North East. Our groups use this food to feed hundreds of individuals and families who are experiencing financial hardship and struggling to feed their families. 

The request for food assistance has grown significantly with more vulnerable people at risk of going hungry this Christmas. What we are hearing from the charities and community groups we support, is that the situation is only likely to worsen and many are worried they may not be able to meet the extra demand. 

You can make a difference by donating to the Big Give this Christmas. Donations will go towards helping FareShare North East get at least 50,000 surplus meals, that would otherwise go to waste, out to thousands of individuals and families experiencing economic hardship. By donating between Tuesday November 29th to Tuesday 6th December your donation will be doubled.

Please donate now as no one should have to go hungry this Christmas. Thank you.

DONATE NOW