Volunteer goes above and beyond to support local foodbank
Added by Love Business East Midlands | 30 March 2026
UPDATED: 2 April 2026
A kind-hearted volunteer has gone above and beyond to volunteer at Corby Foodbank to help make a difference to those in the community that rely on its services.
Jennifer Hallam, a member of Corby LIVE, a North Northamptonshire Council service that supports adults with additional support needs, has become an invaluable member of the foodbank team since she started volunteering there around four years ago.
With the support of the LIVE team, which focuses on learning, independence, volunteering and employment for its users, Jennifer underwent independent bus training, allowing her to travel from her home in Cottingham into Corby town centre and then onward to St Peter and Andrew’s Church on the Beanfield estate, from where Corby Foodbank operates.
This remarkable achievement in independence has allowed Jennifer to work alongside other foodbank volunteers Bev and Jane, to pack three-day emergency, non-perishable food parcels for local people in food crisis.
“LIVE supports adults to work towards their own personal goals with volunteering being an important part of the journey,” explains Catherine Kettle, community enablement worker at Corby LIVE.
"Independence is a critical part of our customers' LIVE journey, so seeing Jennifer build the confidence to travel independently and receive such positive feedback for her attitude at the foodbank is fantastic.”
Speaking of her desire to volunteer, Jennifer said:
“I knew a little bit about Corby Foodbank and that it was there to help those struggling to find a home or don’t have a roof over their heads.
“And it also helps those who may only have a room. It broke my heart to hear of people struggling and I wanted to help.
“It makes me happy to help, and I would like to keep volunteering as I enjoy every second of it.”
In addition to the volunteering support given, Corby LIVE also donated £100 raised from its LIVE Coffee Bar based at Corby Diagnostic Centre, which is run by volunteers from the Corby LIVE Team. The money was used to purchase a ‘wish list’ of specific items, ensuring that the donation directly met the needs of local families facing food insecurity.
Commenting on the support given, Corby Foodbank’s manager Martin Langford said:
“Jennifer is a great member of the foodbank team, and it has been fantastic to see how her personality has developed, including getting to the foodbank independently.
“She goes above and beyond to get here and when she is here, she takes particular care and pride of what goes into each food parcel.
“The money donated has also gone a long way in providing essential food items to those in the community who most need our support. So a big thank you goes to Corby LIVE and Jennifer for their support.”
For more information about Corby Foodbank, visit www.corby.foodbank.org.uk
