“The Rose Vouchers are very helpful. I have triplets and have been getting the Rose Vouchers since they were 16 months old. They’re now four years old and have just started school. I visited the children’s centre for stay and play sessions but didn’t know about the Rose Vouchers until a neighbour told me and said why don’t I try it. She took me down to the centre and I registered for the vouchers straight away.
Before the vouchers, I couldn’t afford some foods like yam and plantain, but because of the vouchers, I could buy more fruit and veg, adding more to my list and giving my children more variety. I like to make smoothies with lots of berries, which I can freeze, too.
The main place I shop is East Street Market. They have a good selection of fruit and veg and I’ve never had any issues shopping there. I’m from Nigeria, and I’m lucky I can get the fruit and veg I want at the market. Rose Vouchers go a long way.
I’ve stopped getting the Rose Vouchers now that my children have started school. Even though I miss the vouchers, I’ve had such a good experience. I wanted to give something back to support the Rose Vouchers project, so I now volunteer at the children’s centre.
The children’s centre has supported me so much, I got more than I had envisaged. From stay and play sessions, to Rose Vouchers, help with clothes for my children, so much. I told them if they ever needed a volunteer to call me, and one day they did.
I have more confidence from volunteering and have registered for training and different online courses. I speak to other parents receiving Rose Vouchers and help them, too. Many are going through a lot. The Rose Vouchers project has given me so many opportunities.”