Over 100 parcels have been delivered to Walsall Family Hubs this summer that will benefit Walsall.
Opus People Solutions and Walsall Council staff with the donation of food parcels at the North Family Hub. Photo credit: Opus People Solutions
The parcels containing food and essentials have been arranged by Opus People Solutions, the Managed Service Provider for temporary recruitment for Walsall Council.
The Qualified Social Work team at Opus launched a food donation initiative as part of wider efforts to support children, families and individuals in Walsall who may be experiencing hardship.
In recent weeks, the Opus team, colleagues across the Vertas Group and key suppliers have collected donations of food and toiletry items such as pasta, rice, sauces, tinned vegetables, biscuits and personal care items.
Donated items have been packed into parcels and distributed through Walsall’s Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programmes and Family Hubs. It is hoped that the food parcels will help local families have access to the food and support they need.
All four Family Hubs each received around 25 food parcels to give out to families.
Deliveries took place on Tuesday 19 August, with the North Family Hub in Blakenall being the first to receive the parcels.
“ It’s fantastic to see such generosity and community spirit in action. These food parcels will make a real difference to families across Walsall this summer. I’d like to thank Opus People Solutions, the Vertas Group and all those who contributed to this initiative. Their support helps ensure that children and families accessing our Family Hubs and Holiday Activities and Food programmes have the essentials they need during the school holidays. “
Councillor Mark Statham, Portfolio Holder for Children, Families & Lifelong Learning
Walsall Council
“ As a Managed Service Provider for Walsall Council through the WMTemps framework, Opus People Solutions is committed to adding value wherever we can. With many families currently facing challenges, we hope the meal parcels we’ve donated to Walsall’s HAF Programme and Family Hubs help ease some of the pressure and make a small but positive difference to the families who receive them. “
James Carr, Head of Social Work Recruitment
Opus People Solutions
About the Holiday Activity and Food (HAF) programme
Walsall Council was awarded £1.7m of funding from the Department for Education (DFE) to deliver the Holiday Activity and Food (HAF) programme in 2025, which supports the council’s mission to ensure children are happy, healthy and well.
The programme is aimed at children and young people aged 5 to 16 years eligible for free school meals and offers activities for them to learn and develop new skills, form friendships, do things they enjoy or try something new, all whilst benefitting from a healthy and nutritious lunch.
More information about the HAF programme and what it offers can be found on the council’s website: https://go.walsall.gov.uk/children-and-young-people/holiday-activities-programme-haf
What are Family Hubs?
Family Hubs offer a welcoming space where families can access advice and support from a range of services. The Hubs have been set up to support families with children aged 0-19, or 0-24 for those children with special educational needs and disabilities. With teams located in four locality hubs across the borough, a variety of services can be found all under one roof, to provide the families they work with easier access to these services, to provide the right help at the right time. Practitioners include family support practitioners, health visitors, school nurses, early help police officers, domestic abuse support practitioners, mental health support and substance misuse support.
The four hubs are located at:
• North Family Hub – 275 Blakenall Lane, Blakenall, Walsall WS3 1HJ
• West Family Hub – Ilmington House, Crescent Road, Darlaston, WS10 8AE
• South & Central Family Hub – Birchills Street, Walsall, WS2 8NF
• East Family Hub – Silver Court, Walsall, WS8 6HA
There are also an additional 10 ‘community spokes’ based in voluntary and community buildings across the borough.
About Opus People Solutions:
Opus People Solutions is a specialist recruitment provider offering expert staffing solutions across both public and private sectors. With sector-specific expertise and a commitment to doing the right thing, Opus has built a reputation for delivering high-quality recruitment across multiple disciplines and is a trusted Managed Service Provider for local authorities. As a local authority-owned company, Opus is committed to making a difference, reinvesting profits back into public services and supporting local communities.
Learn more at https://opuspeoplesolutions.co.uk/
About Vertas Group:
Vertas Group is a leading provider of integrated facilities management services across the UK. With a focus on sustainability, innovation, and people, Vertas partners with schools, councils, and businesses to deliver bespoke solutions that support communities and create lasting value. From cleaning and catering to property design and recruitment services, Vertas Group is committed to delivering excellence in everything we do.