The Coronavirus is already having a hugely negative economic and social impact across the UK, whether that’s job uncertainty or self-isolation preventing many vulnerable people from buying the basic items they need.

South Essex College is at the heart of local communities in Basildon, Thurrock and Southend and surrounding areas. Delivering a range of study programmes to over 11,000 students each year throughout Essex and beyond. We offer a wide range of courses from 16-18 education programmes through to higher education, apprenticeships and adult courses. Together, we are working hard to ensure we have a real, positive impact on the lives of our local communities. We have the resources and the fantastic staff to make it happen which is why we have joined forces with London & South East Education Group to support the FE Food Bank Friday initiative.

With more staff and students working and studying remotely and staying home, we have joined this fundraising campaign to support food banks and help ensure they can continue looking after our communities, despite social distancing.

We're raising money for the Trussell Trust, a national charity which supports more than 1,200 food bank centres across the country including several right here in South Essex.

We are asking our amazing staff and college communities to help us by consider donating what they can to ensure we all can come through this crisis. Together, we are stronger.

Thank you so much.

Last year, food banks in our network provided more than 1.6 million emergency food parcels to people in crisis. More than half a million of these went to children. It’s not right that people can’t afford the basics. With your help, we can help end the need for food banks.As a nation, we expect no one should be left hungry or destitute. Illness, disability, family breakdown or the loss of a job can happen to any of us. With your help #ThisCanChange