The Big Life group

Big Life is showcasing its commitment to the community and its employees alike during the pandemic. The organisation, which creates opportunities for people who have the least, set up a food bank to provide a weekly ‘shop' to local people. Food parcels containing the equivalent of 28,900 meals were dropped off at 141 homes. Hot meals were delivered to those who were shielding, an ‘anti food waste' project diverted over 13 tonnes of food from landfill to local people and 144 children benefited from a Christmas food and toy appeal.

Big Life firmly believes that its 500-plus staff, who provide services covering health and wellbeing, skills and employment and children and families across the north of England, are more than just job titles. To underline this, the organisation reviewed and extended its wellbeing services to take into account the needs of those who were working from home, furloughed, caring for others or bereaved. A staff forum encouraged people to keep in touch informally, mindfulness and yoga sessions were made available online and furloughed staff could attend virtual lunches. Away from the pandemic, the forum and Big Life's fortnightly e-bulletin provided space for staff to converse about the Black Lives Matter movement. Staff with lived experience took part in a webinar and BAME employees were offered support.

Throughout the past year, Big Life's five values have been constantly at the fore: never give up; tread new ground; first class; people are not problems and finally, working in partnership.