NO EURO FOOD BANK OPT OUTS
Tellus Education Group students Mallory Bouvier and Samyra Hauser at the Plymouth Food Bank.
Some of the fun activities people enjoy at the Oasis Centre
Mallory Bouvier on a media PR assignment in Plymouth
NO EURO FOOD BANK OPT OUTS
FOOD BANKS are not just social phenomena here in the UK, but a growing necessity for many in my hometown of Paris and across France.
As an international student on a two-week English Language course in Plymouth with the Tellus Education Group, I asked to be placed on a PR work opportunity with Dorcas Media.
I’m looking for a career in journalism, or in the field of Public Relations, and I wanted to see a local media organisation in action.
During my two weeks in Plymouth I’ve visited a local radio newsroom, been involved in media photo opportunities, met local business clients and political leaders, and writing my first media assignment on Food Banks – a topic dear to my heart.
Much is being written in the UK and French press about Food Banks and talking about the social ills of why people need to use them. I wanted to see for myself as a French person the differences between Food Banks in Plymouth and Paris – and quite frankly there is none.
During my investigation I spent a day at the Plymouth Food Bank and nestled at the back of Union Street. The place is run like a well-oiled machine and the start of the day was dedicated to prayer for those who wished to take part.
Many local people use the Oasis Centre and especially the older folk who like the social inter-action and sharing stories over a hearty breakfast.
My afternoon was spent watching people searching for jobs online, and people coming to collect food parcels.
During my day at the Plymouth Food Bank I met a German student Samyra Hausser, from Barthdoma, near Bavaria.
Samyra is on a short work placement with the Food Bank, and here in the UK to brush up on her English language skills from the Meridian School of English, which is part of the Tellus Education Group.
Miss Samyra, said: “My job role varies from administration to food storage and distribution, and I meet some really interesting local people, and enjoying my work experience at the Crown Centre which is really supporting my spoken English skills.”
The most famous Food Banks in France are ‘Les Restos du Coeur’ created in 1985 by French humorist Coluche. They raise cash with huge concerts and bring French celebrities together to redistribute to the organisation across France. The Food Banks exists in every French city and offers hot meals to the homeless and those in need.
Since 1985 they have distributed more than one billion hot meals in France thanks to the donations collected.
Whether in Paris or Plymouth, Food Banks are always recruiting volunteers, and help people in need, so we are not so different in the EU after all.
The Plymouth Food Bank is a community project and part of the Plymouth Methodist Mission.
Special report by French student Mallory Bouvier
for Dorcas Media
21-year-old French hospitality student Mallory Bouvier from Paris is studying English at the Tellus Education Group, and spent the last two weeks on a media work placement with Dorcas Media.
The budding Parisian journalist wanted to find out the differences between Plymouth and Paris Food Banks, and spent a day at the Plymouth Food Bank in Stonehouse.