Most charities are established and run by people who are driven to improve their community. They are passionate, hard-working and dogged in chasing down funding opportunities and stretching every pound as far as it will go. Many work for nothing or very little financial return, even though they may have worked in senior roles in their previous professions. Such is the case for Paulette Fairin Suban, who turned her back on a blue chip corporate career to run Birmingham's Cape Community Centre.

"I'd started a family and had enough of fast-track marketing. My son then became poorly so I wanted to focus on him and the family. I set up my own consultancy business and got involved with Cape to get them online - and just kept coming back. That was 15 years ago."

The Cape was set up in 1992 by Bishop Stanford Fairin BEM, who is still very active in his role as Chairman. The Cape is a vibrant, award-winning daycare centre bringing together vulnerable elderly people aged 65-98 from the local migrant communities for meals and activities. Around 70% have dementia, and 80% have some form of disability, so their services are in high demand. There's a £10 charge, which includes transport, food throughout the day, lots of activities, and usually some bakery, sandwiches or spare dinners to take home. Paulette says:

"There's always lots of food and drinks on offer, in a nice warm room, plus physical and brain exercises to help them be as mentally agile as possible. People really look forward to it and they are such lovely characters, it's always a total pleasure to spend time with them.

We take them out once a month in the warmer months and we offer a Wednesday visiting service, as well as a weekly coffee morning, telephone befriending, prescription and grocery collection, medical appointment accompaniment and a parent and toddler group. Many older locals no longer have family and friends in the area, so we are accessible throughout the year to keep everyone connected, cared for and part of our community.

It's so important for all of us, but especially older people, to be able to socialise regularly and the holidays can be particularly hard for people on their own, so we don't let that happen. Our motto is a home from home environment that is full, fun and warm, where everyone is someone and belongs."

The Centre has expanded its support because of a huge increase in demand for food, and it now also runs a foodbank, as well as the Youth Creation Kids Club for 7-15 year old local children. Paulette says:

"In termtime we usually have between 15-25 kids come in for a meal. During the summer the number shoots up to more than 40 children, because they are no longer receiving free school meals when the schools shut. They are a really good bunch of young people, and some even help volunteer at the daycare centre over the summer, as their way of saying thank you."

The Cape Community Centre receives surplus food deliveries from FareShare Midlands, as well as visiting local Tesco stores as part of the FareShare Go scheme.

"We couldn't do without FareShare Midlands, it's as simple as that. We're all volunteers, money is tight and grants are difficult to secure. The FareShare Midlands food enables us to support both young and old in our community and offer things like a Christmas community party and luncheon for both groups which can really be such a lifeline for people.

The food is key to human wellbeing. We weren't designed to sit at home alone for weeks on end, so eating well-cooked meals and taking part in regular exercise and mental stimulation helps our older people ward off dementia and stay in their homes longer and takes pressure off the NHS itself. For the younger people, a regular meal means they are more alert at school and more able to play and enjoy themselves during the holidays.

I wish nobody was in the situation of having to go without food, it's horrifying and dehumanising, but I'm very glad that with the help of FareShare Midlands, we can do what we can to help. Everyone counts, everyone is somebody."

If you would like to help FareShare Midlands support charities like the Cape Community Centre, we are always looking for volunteers. Apply on the Volunteer With Us page.