This Volunteers’ Week, Good Food Lewisham is calling for Volunteers to help Lewisham Food Projects
Good Food Lewisham, a network of people passionate about transforming the local food system, is marking Volunteers’ Week starting on June 1st to encourage people to volunteer in one of many community food projects in Lewisham.
Lewisham has been highly affected by Britain’s greatest food price inflation in 50 years, containing the second highest percentage of food poverty in South London. In a borough where 1 in 5 residents are food insecure, free and low-cost food is in high demand. Lewisham is fortunate to have a well-formed network of community food projects involved in Good Food Lewisham, which are mapped and supported by the local charity, Lewisham Local. Most of these projects, however, are run by and largely rely on volunteers, which have steadily decreased as food prices rise. To keep providing food aid support, they need your help!
“We are currently experiencing a drastic increase in the demand for our service […] which can be overwhelming for a small organisation like ours” Stella Headley, Founder of RMUK Wellbeing.
Volunteers can help provide healthy food for children, nutritious meals for older people, and supply families and individuals with the essential groceries they need to stay healthy and strong. Roles available include food delivery drivers (by car or bike), food packers, cooks, hosts for community meals, community food growers and gardeners.
“The best part about volunteering is that it’s rewarding for everyone involved. Not only will you be helping those struggling with food insecurity, but it will highly benefit you as well, such as making new friends and learning new skills!” Bettina Ganser, Lewisham Local’s Volunteering Coordinator.
Volunteering is proven to help with mental and physical health. It can be a great remedy for stress, anxiety and anger. Volunteering boosts self-esteem by providing a sense of belonging and purpose. Demonstrating commitment to a cause also helps individuals make progress to achieving key personal and social goals. “People are suffering in so many ways, so it felt good to be doing something to help alleviate some of that hardship.” Linda, Volunteer at Legendary Community Club.
Volunteering is also a great way to make new friends and learn or expand on skills. It’s a way to form meaningful connections with those being supported as well as with the volunteering community. Laura, former volunteer at a food bank, told us, “volunteers formed their own sort of family. We would bond through our shared goals and create a space where we could find support in personal, domestic, or financial issues and share stories together.” The mutual and active learning involved also helped many advance their career and employability, granting the confidence and skills to apply for job opportunities that they might not have felt comfortable doing before.
Want to get involved but don’t know where to start?
Email volunteering@lewishamlocal.com or call Lewisham Local’s office (07598169476) and we will connect you to a project in your area that suits your needs.
While volunteers make up the bread and butter of Lewisham’s united response against food poverty, donations are largely appreciated as well. “Whether you can donate to Lewisham’s Cost-of-Living Crisis Appeal, or pick up a couple of extra essentials at the shop and put them in the food bank donation box, every contribution helps” Sam Hawksley, CEO of Lewisham Local.
