A BROMSGROVE mum has been helping out people in need during the lockdown by making support boxes from donations she has received.
It started with Zoe Wood, who lives in the district with her husband and two children, set up her Bromsgrove Support Group / Free Items Bromsgrove group.
The page grew to more than 500 members.
Zoe has always wanted to be a support or charity worker but struggles with her anxiety so thought about what she could do to help others.
She said: “I have struggled in the past and know what it’s like.
“I wanted to help people.”
She has delivered boxes – socially-distanced – door-to-door and has found it has also helped her anxiety and improved her confidence.
“Before I wouldn’t have spoken to anyone I didn’t know.
“The main reason I started making boxes is that I just wanted to help people who had been in my situation.
“Not everyone feels they can go to foodbanks as they can be hard for some people with mental health issues.
“If there is anyone that doesn’t want contact I pop the box by the front door just before they arrive.”
Zoe said she had received a great response from those she had helped.
At Christmas she made up festive gift bags with pre-loved toys.
“One man came to collect it, he told me that I’d made his girls’ Christmas.
“It brought tears to my eyes and made me feel so nice that when my children were opening their Christmas presents on Christmas morning, other children would be too, because I had helped them.
“It is a lovely feeling to be appreciated.”
Joanna McKenna, who found Zoe’s posts on Facebook and donated some items, described her as ‘inspirational’.
“Zoe is an incredibly kind lady with such a big, warm heart.
“She has fought so hard to overcome her anxiety and now helps others.
“During these difficult times she has brought an immense amount of joy to so many people.
“I have been so moved by the joy that her boxes bring I wanted to spread the word about her.”
For more on how to help and which items are needed, visit Zoe’s Facebook page here.
