Nat Campbell – Charity Champion or Volunteer of the Year nominee
Nat Campbell – Charity Champion or Volunteer of the Year nominee
Nat Campbell set up a not-for-profit café in the midst of her grief after the death of her beloved son and now it’s helping not just her but the people of Longton too.
The University of Staffordshire alumna, who has an undergraduate degree in sociology and a masters in sociology and social justice, set up Scouse’s Snacks as part of U7 Urban Arts Centre in Sutherland Road, Longton, in November 2024.
She takes no salary for her work. She work with a team of volunteers, all of whom are neurodiverse or living with a physical disability.
Nat, who has lived in Bentilee for 23 years, sells good quality home cooked meals as cheaply as possible, feeds homeless people and puts together £6 food bags including everything needed to feed a person for three days. During the heatwave she has been offering free cold water for anyone who needs it.
The 55-year-old stresses that anybody is welcome. The café is autism friendly and there is a break-out area if it’s needed. She’s even had care homes bring their residents in.
Scouse was the nickname of Nat’s late son, Josh, who died at the age of 29. He was a popular member of the community, with more than 600 people attending his funeral. Nat has customers telling her how much he meant to them including one who said she wouldn’t be a teacher now if Josh hadn’t encouraged her to become a mature student.
Nat said: “Scouse’s Snacks has helped me and given me something to focus on. It’s got me out of the house and out of the rabbit hole that I went down after Josh died.
“Before I took it on I was just sitting at home. I wasn’t washing, I wasn’t brushing my teeth, I was just sitting there with a blanket wrapped around me all day.
“It’s taken me 18 months to get to where I am today. Of course there are still times when I can just burst into tears. When you lose a child you don’t just lose a child you lose a lot of friends too. Now I’ve got a group of better friends.”
A whole string of Scouse’s Snacks customers and supporters have nominated Nat in the Charity Champion or Volunteer of the Year categories of the Your Heroes Awards.
Chantelle Huckfield said: “Nat is a credit to the community and shines bright every day. She deserves this nomination and this award. Thank you for everything you do, Nat.”
Kerry Crawford said: “Nat has given three individuals I support who have learning disabilities the chance to volunteer each week and this has impacted their lives in a huge way. They now enjoy their job and have purpose and a place in the community. Nat is proud of Stoke-on-Trent and its heritage and is a champion for every individual who crosses her path.”
Helen Hughes said: “Even when she is in pain Nat shows up at Scouse’s Snacks so she can put smiles on people’s faces.”