How Urban Outreach charity is feeding Bolton children this summer

Urban Outreach is a Christian charity providing food and support to some of the borough’s most disadvantaged and vulnerable people.

The charity was founded 36 years ago by David Bagley and his wife, Christine.

We joined volunteers at the charity’s Food Hub at Trinity Retail Park.

Every morning during the school summer holidays, volunteers prepare lunch packs and sandwiches to be distributed to children across Bolton.

The charity’s Food Hub (Image: NQ)

Discussing the idea behind the initiative, David said he could not understand why children receiving free school meals during term time were not supported in the same way during the holidays.

“I couldn’t work out, both morally and socially, how we squared that circle,” he said.

“If somebody is in need during term time, what’s the difference during the holidays?”

After “moaning a lot”, David said he felt the only way to do something about it was to see whether the charity could provide lunch for as many children as possible.

David Bagley, Urban Outreach (Image: NQ)

That idea became Bolton Lunches, which has since provided hundreds of thousands of meals to children over the years.

“In the first year, we made 12,500 lunches,” David said.

“We targeted areas of deprivation in the borough and then grew over time.”

At its peak after the pandemic, Urban Outreach made 74,000 lunches across more than 50 sites, according to David.

However, the charity’s approach changed after the Government introduced the Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme.

The huge space where the Bolton lunches are made (Image: NQ)

The HAF programme provides healthy meals, enriching activities and free childcare places to children from low-income families.

In Bolton, the programme supports those receiving benefits-related free school meals with free activities alongside a hot meal for a minimum of four hours a day, four days a week, for four weeks over the summer.

Eligible families typically receive a voucher code to book the activities and meals.

“Bolton was particularly generous with its voucher system,” David said.

Urban Outreach volunteers (Image: NQ)

Urban Outreach has been involved with the programme since it began and has made 22,000 packs and just short of 21,000 sandwiches this year, as well as supporting the hot food offer.

The charity has received longstanding support from Warburtons, which provides all of the bread free of charge.

Warburtons was founded in 1876 by Thomas and Ellen Warburton, when they opened a small grocery shop in Bolton.

“We have some big businesses involved in volunteering and have upward of 20 to 25 volunteers each morning,” David said.

Volunteers preparing sandwiches early in the morning (Image: NQ)

During our visit, volunteers were busy preparing sandwiches at the Food Hub.

Lynda Howarth from Heaton, has been involved with Bolton Lunches for the last five years.

This year, she has attended every Monday during the six-week holiday.

“I think it’s a wonderful organisation that does so much good,” she said.

“It’s very worthwhile and I enjoy coming along and working with the team.”

The volunteers have a well-rehearsed system, allowing them to prepare the sandwiches quickly (Image: NQ)

Stephen Bryan from Over Hulton, has been volunteering for the last five years.

He started coming along with a school friend of more than 50 years.

“I’d just retired and I thought it was something for me to do,” he said.

Hymns Wong from Tonge Moor, joined Urban Outreach this Easter.

Hymns Wong from Tonge Moor (Image: NQ)

“It’s really interesting, I enjoy helping people,” he said.

Hymns first saw an Instagram post from the charity asking people to get involved.

“I’ve made a lot of friends and I will definitely get involved next year,” he said.

“If you have time or you’re not doing much, come along and help.”

Youngsters taking part in the volunteering (Image: NQ)

David expressed his gratitude to those who give up their mornings to help.

“It’s an ongoing demonstration of the willingness that people have in Bolton to stand alongside those who need it at the most critical times,” he said.

David said support from the “big players” and Bolton Council is critical.