Manchester welfare charity The Fed is experiencing an encouraging early response to its Pesach appeal, which in line with the times, has a distinctly non-glossy and low-budget appearance.

The charity has stopped outsourcing artwork to professional design companies, one of many cost-cutting measures. The streamlining is partly the result of The Fed recently gaining a government-sponsored Investor in People Award, which involves a year-long assessment process.

Chief executive Karen Phillips said that being scrutinized by an Investor in People assessor had helped to reduce costs and wastage.

The Fed is also reporting a recessionary benefit — a number of volunteering inquiries from people who have lost their jobs.