MP praises work of Failsworth crisis support group

Ashton & Failsworth MP Angela Rayner with volunteers at Breaking The Waves.jpg

A Failsworth group, who supply food and clothing to families in need have been praised by Angela Rayner.

The Failsworth MP visited food crisis support group Breaking the Waves to learn more about their work and organisation

Breaking the Waves grew out of the work of local resident Gemma Blackhurst who has been supporting Failsworth families in need of emergency food for more than two years.

During the outbreak of the Covid pandemic, Gemma delivered food parcels to resident who needed extra support.  She began helping other members at the newly established Failsworth Food Hub to issue food parcels to the residents of Failsworth whilst still supporting the families she had initially assisted.

Breaking the Waves Foundation was founded when it was clear that the volunteers needed more space to store donated items.

The foundation moved to a permanent home in Failsworth Town Hall basement with the help of Councillor Pete Davis.

After learning about their work, Ms Rayner visited the group to see the volunteers in action. They told her how they are regularly supporting over 100 families, with many more approaching the group for a food parcel occasionally when in a tight spot. They are looking for bigger premises to cope with demand.

Speaking after the visit, the MP said:  “Life is tough for many people in Failsworth, not least with rising housing & energy costs and the recent cut in Universal Credit. Breaking the Waves do fantastic work supporting those in need and Failsworth should be very proud of them.”

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