Project marks decade of support for families

A community project in Frome has supported around 1,800 families over the past decade by providing toiletries and sanitary products to children and young people.

Frome Refresh was set up 10 years ago by former teacher Lesley Hooper after she heard about a similar project in Trowbridge and recognised the same need among families in Frome.

The scheme works with local schools to deliver essential supplies to families experiencing financial hardship.

 

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“When money is short, toiletries are often left off the shopping list because food has to come first,” Lesley said. “Yet not having those everyday essentials can affect a young person’s confidence, wellbeing and ability to engage in school.”

Early funding came from Somerset Community Foundation, but one of the biggest challenges was finding the right people in schools to support the project.

Lesley then met Lisa, who worked in the behaviour support department at Frome College.

“Lisa was the springboard that helped Frome Refresh take its first steps,” Lesley said.

Initially, schools were asked to contact the project when supplies were running low. When requests rarely came in, Lesley changed the approach and began delivering supplies every half-term.

From an initial partnership with Frome College, Oakfield Academy and Selwood Academy, the project gradually expanded to support eight schools across the town, delivering essential supplies six times a year.

Over the years, Frome Refresh has also received donations of toiletries and funding from individuals, churches, local groups and businesses.

The Frome Independent Market became a strong supporter of the project’s work to tackle period poverty, selling Somerset Sisters T-shirts and donating a proportion of sales to Frome Refresh.

Lesley described Frome Rotary as the project’s ‘financial backbone’, while a partnership with Beauty Box enabled the project to establish a donation point in Superdrug, making it easier for residents to contribute.

Frome Refresh has shared examples of the support provided, including a young girl receiving a toothbrush so she no longer had to share one with her brother.

A teacher has described the project’s Christmas gift bags as both heartwarming and heartbreaking. “It was wonderful to see the children receiving a gift, but difficult knowing it might be the only present they receive that Christmas,” they said.

At one school, staff set up a small ‘shop’ where parents could choose toiletries for their families.

Lesley said families could face hardship for many reasons, including domestic abuse, illness, bereavement and loss of employment.

Although free sanitary products have been made available in schools through government schemes, Lesley said demand for other everyday essentials remains.

As Frome Refresh enters its second decade, Lesley hopes more volunteers, supporters and local businesses will become involved. She believes there is still considerable need in the town, despite its outward appearance of prosperity.

To contact Frome Refresh, email frome.refresh@outlook.com or visit its Facebook page, Frome Refresh.