Salt of the Earth: Meet Michelle Hayes and Catherine Crompton helping those in need during lockdown

It has been a strange few months. Each of us has faced a unique set of circumstances and challenges.
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There are those who have been asked to self-isolate for 12 weeks, to build a cocoon around themselves to protect themselves from the unseen dangers of Covid-19.

There are those who have started to work from home, somehow teaching Geography to an unresponsive teenager whilst meeting the ongoing demands of a normal business day.

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There are those who are furloughed, suddenly at home, struggling to occupy themselves during the unexpected free time.

Catherine Crompton (left) and Michelle Hayes (right)Catherine Crompton (left) and Michelle Hayes (right)
Catherine Crompton (left) and Michelle Hayes (right)

There are the key workers, those who have continued to go to work day in and day out while the rest of us relied on them.

And then there are the community champions, the people who have looked at the challenges faced by those struggling due to Covid-19 and making a difference to people’s lives.

This week’s Salt of the Earth feature is dedicated to two such champions, Catherine Crompton and Michelle Hayes who are, quite literally, changing people's lives for the better.

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When coronavirus hit Resurrected Bites, the pay-as-you-feel cafes dedicated to reducing food ‘waste’ were forced to close.

Catherine Crompton collecting another load of itemsCatherine Crompton collecting another load of items
Catherine Crompton collecting another load of items

Rather than allow food to be thrown away 35-strong team of volunteers began doing home deliveries to Harrogate, Knaresborough, Boroughbridge, Ripon and the surrounding area

To date the charity has delivered parcels containing three days worth of food for over 2022 people.

Michelle, founder and director of Resurrected Bites said: “We have been collecting unwanted products in shielding boxes and because supermarkets have stopped taking back substitutions, we put out a message to say we would take them too. Our aim is to try and stop as much food going to waste as we can.

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“We also have a massive delivery from Fare Share charity in Leeds who repurpose supermarket waste. For example, if milk has a shelf life of less than a week it normally goes to landfill so we can use that. Eggs are discarded if one is broken in a box.”

Michelle Hayes at Resurrected BitesMichelle Hayes at Resurrected Bites
Michelle Hayes at Resurrected Bites

Michelle said they are constantly trying to reach people who have had a change in financial circumstances, often those who have not needed help in the past,

She said: “We’re trying to focus on the most vulnerable in the area. Some are people who are struggling to cope, people who were self employed, or people who were on zero hours contracts who have lost their source of income and are waiting for universal credit to kick in.

“We’ve had people in tears when we’ve dropped the food off because it’s made such a difference to them.”

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“I just want to say thank you to the whole team, to Ian our cafe manager and all the people who have supported us. None of this would have happened without this amazing group of people who got behind us.

Catherine Crompton is one of the volunteers collecting food items for Resurrected Bites, she is also admin for the Covid Co-Operation, Harrogate, Facebook group.

Each day she completes homeschooling tasks with her two children, responds to messages which come into the group and then plans a route to collect unwanted food items from around the area, she then splits these between the foodbank and Resurrected Bites.

Time is divided between helping people, collecting food and sanitary items, talking to people and making sure they’re alright.

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She said: “Sometimes I can be there for an hour, but for some I may be the only person they see this week.”

Catherine even carries a box of jigsaws in her boot to occupy those who are bored during isolation.

Catherine’s own business, Food Tech Consulting, advises on product development in the food industry.

She has contacted previous employers for help. Fox’s biscuits in Batley have generously been donating 20 boxes of biscuits each week, while New World Foods have donated Biltong and jerky.

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Catherine said volunteering had helped her to cope during the crisis: “I’ve never met so many wonderful people as I have in the last eight weeks. I’ve never volunteered before in my life.

“I’ve had a privileged life. It’s time to give something back to the community and I’m happy to.

“I want to help make a difference and together we can do it.”

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