22 Jun 2026 Community

Locala, Morrisons and The Kirkwood Join Forces to Support Local People in Need

The power of community collaboration is making a real difference to vulnerable people across Kirklees, thanks to a partnership between Locala, Morrisons and The Kirkwood

What began as a conversation between healthcare professionals has grown into a practical initiative that is helping ensure patients and carers facing difficult circumstances have access to essential food supplies when they need them most. By working together, the three organisations are providing emergency food parcels to people experiencing hardship, offering vital support at a time when it can make the greatest difference.

Locala's community healthcare teams support people across Kirklees every day, often visiting patients and carers in their own homes. Through this work, staff have witnessed first hand the growing challenges many people are facing as the cost of living continues to rise.

Sarah True, Head of Engagement and Involvement at Locala, explained: "Locala work alongside The Kirkwood to provide community healthcare to people in and around Kirklees. Our team of District Nurses and Therapists provide end of life care and support to people in their own homes as well as in clinic locations."

The project was developed after feedback from Locala's nursing teams highlighted the increasing number of people struggling to access basic food supplies.

Sarah said: "Working together is the very best way to make a difference in our communities. From what started as a comment in a meeting, has led to a project that allows us to go the extra mile for some of our patients and carers in real need."

She added: "Our nursing teams are seeing patients and carers in their own homes seven days a week, 24 hours a day. They are seeing more and more people struggling to manage in the current economic climate. Most of the people they see are housebound with a range of healthcare needs. For people using insulin and other medications, having food at the right time is vital. Being able to supply these emergency food parcels to people quickly can make a real difference."

After hearing about the challenges being faced by patients and carers, Morrisons stepped forward to help by providing essential food parcels that can be accessed quickly by healthcare professionals when an urgent need is identified.

Larissa Hardcastle, Community Champion at Morrisons in Huddersfield, said the supermarket was keen to support a project that could have such an immediate impact, she said: "I have had connections with The Kirkwood for some time, providing donations for fundraising events and offering support when required. I was more than happy to get involved in this project, to help those in need, such as the elderly who are housebound. Providing basic essentials for when they leave hospital to go home, having everything they need. No one should be going without food."

The initiative is already having a positive impact on local people, with food parcels helping bridge the gap while longer-term support is arranged through local food banks and community services.

Reflecting on the partnership, Larissa said: "Collaborating with organisations in the community creates an emotional impact on our team. The team feels immense satisfaction and great achievement, knowing their workplace can offer support to the community by helping those in need."

Both organisations recognise the vital role The Kirkwood plays within the local community and the importance of working together to support people living with life limiting illnesses and their families.

Sarah said: "The Kirkwood is very important to provide specialist care and support to people when they need it the most."

Larissa added: "The Kirkwood is extremely important to the Kirklees community, providing end of life palliative care. Also supporting family members with counselling and bereavement support. Without The Kirkwood there would be a healthcare crisis across Kirklees, leaving thousands of vulnerable families without specialised support."

Looking ahead, both Locala and Morrisons hope the project will continue to grow and support even more people across the region.

Larissa said: "My plan and hopes for the future is to provide consistent support, to focus on providing good nutrition, easy meal recipes, community support advice and to relieve financial stress. To make those in need aware they are valued members of a caring community."

Sarah also praised the role The Kirkwood played in bringing the initiative to life. "Mary Tyrrell-Place, The Kirkwood's Community Engagement Lead, was on the case straight away to set this project up," she said. "The Kirkwood team are also able to access the food parcels located at Mill Hill Health Centre, a win win for both of us. The teams are overwhelmed by the generosity of Morrisons and they are having a huge impact on our patients and their carers."

The project is a powerful example of what can be achieved when organisations come together with a shared goal. Through partnership, compassion and community spirit, Locala, Morrisons and The Kirkwood are helping ensure local people receive the support they need during some of life's most challenging moments.