Checking in with a Loaf of Bread and a Friendly Face

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Jordan Laverty, CDO for the South Area

Jordan Laverty, CDO for the South Area

Our Community Development Officers always have their ear to the ground on the lookout for ways to support the groups we work with, even more so now in this time of crisis.

Jordan Laverty, our CDO for the South Area, and Aisling Pyers, Patch Manager with the Housing Executive, recently made the most of a generous offer from Irwin's Bakery, a business based in Jordan's area of Armagh, Banbridge & Craigavon.

Irwin's Bakery posted on their Facebook page that they could supply free bread to charities and welfare organisations to help the vulnerable and key workers.

Jordan jumped at the opportunity and reached out to his groups.

"I contacted various groups who I knew were providing support to those most in need in their respective areas", he said. "Many groups are delivering cooked meals, putting together essential food and supply parcels, and making daily check-in phone calls with vulnerable/elderly residents. So far, we've helped three groups to take advantage of this great offer."

Jordan and Aisling worked together to coordinate the bread deliveries between the bakery and the groups. A total of 450 loaves of bread have been delivered to three community bases in the Lurgan Brownlow area and were distributed to those most vulnerable in each estate, who were identified by the community groups and local support networks.

"It worked out really perfectly because the lockdown had just started when we got the bread", Mandy Rogers from Drumellan Community Association told us. "It took a lot of people by surprise at first and they didn't have supplies. The older ones in the community were so glad to see me coming with the bread!", she said. "It was a great opportunity to check in on people and let them know we are here for them if they need any help."

“It was a great opportunity to check in on people and let them know we are here for them if they need any help. ”
— Mandy, Drumellan Community Association

Mandy also told us that folks in her area are staying safe and are hopeful that the lockdown will be lifted soon.

"Local shops have been amazing in this crisis", she said. "Irwin's is a local company, they're only a few miles from us and its all local people who work there so they really are supporting their community."

Jordan has since been in contact with more community groups in the area who have expressed an interest in the bread delivery.

Boxes full of bread for distribution at Drumellan Community Association

Boxes full of bread for distribution at Drumellan Community Association

"I hope this is a service that can continue to be used by community groups and charities providing essential support services during the Coronavirus pandemic", he said.

"Jordan has been fantastic through this", said Mandy. "He's always a wealth of information and support to our group!"

The groups that have been distributing Irwin's bread in the South Area so far include:

Well done to all involved and a big thank you to Irwin's Bakery and all the other local businesses supporting their communities to stay home and stay safe.