Sheffield charity say demand has doubled for their services
By Zhaona Li
December 8, 2023

Sunday Centre are now partnering with Wicker Pharmacy to give out COVID and flu jabs to vulnerable people as demand for their services increases.

The charity aim to help the people of Sheffield by providing free hot meals, drinks and clothes.

Michael Burston, volunteer co-ordinator and trustee of the Sunday Centre has worked there for 10 years.

He said: “I think the financial crisis in Britain at the moment is causing more people to come out and want free food, warmth and clothing.”

Mr Burston said only about 10 to 15 % of the people they see are truly homeless, some of the guests just want to have a chat or hot meals.

The centre operate out of Victoria Hall Methodist Church and every Sunday at 1:30pm the charity serves 100 nutritious and balanced hot meals to vulnerable people in need.

Costel Musat, 46, a guest of Sunday Centre for four years said: “Sunday centre is one of the most powerful organisations in Sheffield, because it always welcomes people with different disabilities.”

Kelly Lingard, the chair and the trustee of the Sunday Centre said they now have 100 to 130 guests per week, compared to 50 to 60 guests in the past.

She said: “We’re proud that we rely on donations, absolutely, and we apply for grants and to access funds from businesses or local authorities. We also have volunteers who raise money for us as well.

“We also are quite lucky to have a good relationship with six food banks, so they provide food donations to us and in quantities that we need,” she added.

Sunday Centre has recently collaborated with Wicker Pharmacy to provide flu and Covid jabs for their guests.

Laura Willey, from Wicker Pharmacy in Sunday Centre

Laura Willey, a pharmacist from Wicker Pharmacy said: “We vaccinate some individuals who have never had access to the vaccine before, because they never had the opportunity to, which is unbelievable.

“This year is the first time we’ve done it, but we definitely want to be here every year.”

Ms Willey said they are planning to provide services such as blood pressure clinics or a minor ailments clinic for guests in the new year.