Dick Lovett Foundation supports care leavers

By Ben Fitzgerald - 1 May 2020

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Swindon-based car dealership Dick Lovett has gone into overdrive to help the town’s care leavers during the coronavirus crisis.

The company, which has a number of car showrooms within the town, has generously donated food to Swindon Borough Council to distribute to young people who have previously been in the care of the local authority.

In total, 96 cans of soup and similar quantities of beans, noodles, toilet rolls, biscuits, stew, cordial and other food items have been donated to the Council’s Children’s Services team.

Care leavers are defined as young people aged between 16 and 25 years old who have been in the care of, or have been given accommodation by their local council.

The Council has delivered 13 food parcels to care leavers so far. The amount of food in each parcel varies in quantity to cater for a range of circumstances. Some care leavers have received food for a few days, while others have received enough food for a week.

Each parcel is unique to the recipient and contains a variety of items.

The Council is using the donation from Dick Lovett as an emergency supply to meet the needs of care leavers as and when it is required during lockdown.

Councillor Mary Martin, Swindon Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, said: “Isolation and loneliness are difficult for some young people to cope with and a visit, even at a distance, to drop off food parcels can mean a lot.  

“We are particularly thankful to our partners at Dick Lovett for this act of generosity and more broadly for their continued support for care leavers and children in care. It is with donations such as these that we will be able pull through this public health emergency.

“I must also say a special thank you to our Children’s Services team who continue to ensure that care leavers and children in care receive the services they rely on.”

Dick Lovett have offered to provide further help to children and families. If residents would like support please email Challenge and Participation at[email protected].

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