Community group ‘Let’s Grow Preston’ have been recognised for their pandemic efforts

Some of the volunteers from Let's Grow Preston — Some of the volunteers from Let’s Grow Preston

A local community organisation ‘Let’s Grow Preston’ has been recognised for its work to support communities with access to food during the coronavirus pandemic.

Volunteers at Let’s Grow Preston, a network of community gardens and friends of open spaces in Preston, have worked tirelessly to deliver locally grown food to community food hubs throughout the city which have supported struggling residents.

The organisation combined its efforts with 33 other food hubs around the city to meet the demands of food supplies and delivered over 2,400 food packages, the equivalent of 570,000 meals, to struggling families.

Annie Wynn, development director at Let’s Grow Preston said: “On the night of the awards ceremony, the award went to us because of the amazing work that we did with the varied and diverse community groups of Preston, we all worked together as a team and supported each other and the results were that we were able to do so much more than had we been working independently of each other.

“Let’s Grow Preston promotes cooperation and not competition. Ultimately, all of the community groups that we work with are unique, with individual identities and different demographics of volunteers and beneficiaries, and while we celebrate our uniqueness, we also work together.

“I think that this is what makes Preston stand out and it’s what makes me Proud of Preston.”

The team also made sure to support the organisations they worked with to create the food packages. Brighter Blooms usually donates seed to Let’s Grow Preston for their allotments.

This year, the community organisation decided to buy the seeds, instead of waiting for donations from Brighter Blooms to support them after what was a financially difficult time and strengthened their relationship with each other.

They also had some extra help and double the amount of volunteers to help with the fantastic work around Preston. The organisation works with its volunteers to make sure they know they are cared for and valued.

After what has been a busy year for Let’s Grow Preston, the increased need for its hard work and efforts will be just as important as we start to come out of difficult times and into brighter days.

Councillor Nweeda Khan, Cabinet Member for Communities and Social Justice at Preston City Council, said: “I am delighted to hear that Annie Wynn and her team of voulnteers at Let’s Grow Preston have been given this award.

“Their amazing work during the pandemic to support local communities in Preston has been vital for struggling residents and this award goes some way to thanking them for all they do.

“The past year has been a great struggle for many people who have seen their lives turned upside down. But even in the darkest of days Let’s Grow Preston has been a ray of light and kindness for many people.”

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Proud Preston. This, and many stories like it, show how the people of Preston are making a difference. Our Proud Preston section showcases all the charitable, kind, uplifting and great things about our city and the people who live here. #ProudPreston is alive and well, and there’s much to celebrate and be proud of, despite the challenging times we all face.