Boomerang Healthcare strengthens community partnerships to tackle food insecurity in Birtley and Gateshead
Boomerang Healthcare is developing and expanding its community impact following a visit to the Deckham Family Hub in Gateshead. The visit focused on introducing affordable food support in Birtley and strengthening partnerships to tackle food insecurity across the region.
Director Paul Tute and Registered Manager Jac Bissett were welcomed by Gateshead Council Family Hub Manager Mark Keall, who provided a guided tour of the modern facilities on Elgin Road.
Inside Deckham Family Hub: A Key Community Resource in Gateshead
The visit showcased the hub’s wide-ranging facilities, including meeting and training rooms, a café, a specialist Baby Yoga room with underfloor heating, and a large multi-use sports hall. During the visit, the hall was hosting a live session of The Bread and Butter Thing (TBBT), a rapidly growing initiative tackling food poverty across the UK.
Paul and Jac observed first-hand how the service operates, gaining valuable insight into its efficient and welcoming system. Visitors collect pre-ordered food packages through a structured process, receiving ambient groceries, fresh produce, and chilled items—while enjoying a warm, community-focused environment.
Supporting Affordable Food Access in Birtley
A key priority of the visit was exploring how The Bread-and-Butter Thing could be introduced within Boomerang Healthcare’s Birtley service area. Discussions with TBBT representative Susie, alongside community managers, are ongoing as plans develop to establish a weekly food hub for local residents and service users.
TBBT provides approximately £35 worth of groceries for just £8.50, using surplus food from supermarkets, manufacturers, and suppliers. This model not only supports families with access to affordable, nutritious food but also helps to significantly reduce food waste.
“It is vital that we work closely with community-based assets such as Family Hubs and organisations like The Bread-and-Butter Thing to deliver much-needed support—particularly in addressing food poverty. We are also exploring how we can support those who are unable to collect food themselves by ordering, collecting, and delivering directly to them.”
— Paul Tute, Director, Boomerang Healthcare
Immediate Positive Impact for Boomerang Service Users
At the end of the session, several food packages remained in the sports hall. Demonstrating strong community values, Paul purchased the surplus bags to ensure the food did not go to waste and instead reached those in need within our community.
Back at the Boomerang Healthcare office, the team carefully repackaged the items into personalised food parcels based on known individual preferences. From favourite ready meals to sweet treats, each parcel was thoughtfully tailored to support service users.
Paul and Jac then delivered the food parcels directly to 20 service users across Birtley, where they were met with genuine appreciation and gratitude.
Strengthening Community Partnerships in Gateshead
This visit represents an important step in Boomerang Healthcare’s ongoing commitment to improving wellbeing, reducing food insecurity, and strengthening community partnerships across Gateshead and Birtley.
By collaborating with organisations such as The Bread-and-Butter Thing, Boomerang Healthcare continues to develop sustainable, community-led solutions that make a meaningful difference in people’s lives.
This initiative highlights Boomerang Healthcare’s commitment to delivering practical, community-based solutions to food poverty in Gateshead and Birtley.
What is The Bread and Butter Thing?
The Bread-and-Butter Thing is a UK-based initiative providing low-cost, high-quality food packages made from surplus produce.
Key Benefits:
- Up to £35 worth of food for £8.50
- Flexible package sizes (individual, family, large family)
- Vegetarian options available
- Weekly ordering with convenient local collection
How It Works:
Residents sign up via text, confirm their weekly order, and collect their food from a local hub at a scheduled time.
About Boomerang Healthcare
Boomerang Healthcare is a compassionate and professional domiciliary care provider dedicated to supporting individuals to live independently and remain in their own homes. With a focus on personalised, outcomes based care, respect, and dignity, Boomerang Healthcare delivers a wide range of services designed to meet the diverse needs of its clients in and around Gateshead, Tyne and Wear.
A dynamic Healthcare Business specialising in Dom Care, Complex Care, PEG feeding, MND, Dementia Care, Rehab Support and End of Life/Palliative Care.
Individual and Dual Care (Husband and Wife), Local Authority, CHC & Private Funded Care.
About The Bread and Butter Thing
Our mission is to unleash the power of food and ignite long-lasting change in struggling neighbourhoods across the UK.
We build bridges out of food deserts, bringing nutritious, affordable food to the centre of the UK’s most deprived communities and nourish them. We change lives. And we give voice to the people who use us – our members.
We are the everyday – the bread and butter – baked into the heart of our communities.
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Contact
Company Name: Boomerang Healthcare Limited
Email: enquiry@boomeranghealthcare.com
Phone Number: 03003659545
Website: www.boomeranghealthcare.com
