Local Food Bank Charity: Dads House
by Guest Writer: Victoria Borwick
During the lockdown many of us had to stay at home, but whenever there is a crisis in RBKC that community spirit comes to the fore! In addition to the front line services you may have heard about, one of the smaller, local charities supporting residents is Dads House. Founded by William McGranaghan, known locally as Billy.
Billy founded DadsHouse in 2008, after he sadly found himself to be an unexpected single dad so had to learn the hard way. He has used that experience to help Dads be Dads! He has been helping families and the vulnerable for many years – legal advice, parenting classes, support for all the daily questions, breakfast clubs, and just being the one that people can turn to – they trust Billy because they know he lived their problems too. Billy works with everyone, everyone is welcome and no one is rejected.
Over the course of the Covid crisis, Billy set up a large food bank in Elephant and Castle with a great volunteer team and locally here in Kensington and Chelsea he opened it up to all families. Taking referrals from the Borough, or recognised other charities and support services, he scrounged a vacant shop in Earls Court; the Council provided shelving and fridges and Billy persuaded the major supermarkets to donate food and supplies.
This crisis was different – it was not the employed, many of whom still got a salary with the furlough schemes, it was the self-employed and people who have never needed to seek help before who were suddenly without means of support. There are also those in absolute poverty, those that have fallen through the cracks of the support systems, isolated and unable to access or go out for food, and for that Billy set up a food delivery system. Support has come from the Kensington and Chelsea Foundation; Sainsbury’s, Marks and Spencer’s, Waitrose, Fare share and the Sikhs have also provided ready meals. Every family group or resident is contacted so that DadsHouse can meet their dietary needs and Billy also signposts help to other service providers if that is helpful.
Billy and his small team work seven days a week to make sure that people have food and the help they need. Truly Billy is one of Kensington’s unsung heroes.
“Yes” says Billy – you CAN ask for help.If you would like to help please see www.dadshouse.org.uk
