A Fife College lecturer has been going above and beyond to help her community during the coronavirus pandemic.
Lorraine Wilkinson, a community lecturer delivering the Step Up programme in Leven and Springboard course in Kirkcaldy’s Templehall Community Centre, has been volunteering with the Kirkcaldy Foodbank during lockdown from the town’s Linton Lane Centre where she is chairwoman of the board.
Lorraine started making soup and baking scones at the weekends for clients of the centre and their families. Meals are now being distributed from the centre along with those made by Greener Kirkcaldy.
On an average day the Linton Lane Centre supports up to 34 families.
Another recent project has seen the centre support 90 children and their families from a local primary school. Packs, which included frozen meals of soup and macaroni along with tins, fresh food, activities and toys, were distributed in the community last weekend.
On top of cooking, baking and lending a friendly ear, Lorraine has also been knitting rainbows which are being sold to raise funds for the centre.
She said: “With the lockdown the centre had to close to all groups which has stopped all income for running costs and overheads, and all staff were furloughed, except for the manager, Mandy Henderson. However, we decided that the foodbank was still an integral part of the community and even more necessary in these uncertain times.”
Lorraine, who is usually based at the college’s Glenrothes Campus, added: “The stories of people who have been furloughed, lost their jobs or who are now struggling as they need to wait to apply for funding really do make you sad. However, it is amazing how upbeat everyone is and listening to their stories makes you feel really humble. I’m just happy to help in any way I can.”
Bryan McCabe-Bell, director of faculty for Business, Enterprise and Tourism with Supported Programmes at Fife College, said: “Lorraine is one of a number of college colleagues who are volunteering in their communities to support those most in need just now. We are truly grateful to everyone involved in these efforts – they are a credit to themselves and the college.”
The Linton Lane group recently started a crowdfunding appeal to ensure they have funds to carry them through the lockdown.
For more information visit https://www.lintonlanecentre.com/.
