ALDI ROMFORD - MARLBOROUGH RD

Building communities and strengthening families

The Disablement Association of Barking & Dagenham (DABD) is a registered charity that provides essential support & services across Greater London and have done so for over 73 years. We know that people may face barriers in life for a number of reasons – whether it is disability (physical and sensory), special educational need, unemployment, poverty, isolation, poor health, a lack of educational attainment, qualifications, work, or training. Our aim is to ensure that everyone has equal access to opportunities, be it work, benefits, training, transport, or social activities to enable them to live an independent and full life. Our support extends to all disadvantaged people, with a focus on children, young adults, the elderly, those with special educational needs &/or disabled (SEND), other vulnerable people of all ages and of course, their families and carers as well. Our services support people who are regularly excluded from opportunities, due to their disabilities or circumstances (due to low skill/education levels) and BAMER communities (Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic & Refugee) who may find themselves on the periphery of the community and experiencing isolation. The free (or commissioned) support that we offer includes: Welfare Benefits & Financial Advice (inc. energy efficiency support), help around Education, Skills & Employment (designed to support & empower people to get into/or back to work or the educational cycle), Personal Care for disabled and other vulnerable people, Transportation Services (for people of all ages with limited mobility), Community Services (including children, young people, SEND focused, elderly/seniors social, activity and skills clubs), a Community Kitchen (and food bank) and many varied Volunteering Opportunities for the local community, to make a difference to other people’s lives, whilst developing their own skills. Although we cover many Greater London Boroughs and further into Essex and Kent (currently 8), the focus of our work tends to be around the Barking & Dagenham, Havering, Redbridge, and Waltham Forest geographic stamp.

We are an extension of Liverpool Zero Waste Community CIC - starting in Redbridge, IG6. We have the same aims - saving surplus food from landfill while building community. We will be redistributing surplus food from local venues such as our local children's centre. What premises does your project operate from? - We deliver to local families straight from pick ups. - Hainault Children’s Centre. - Registered with Redbridge EHO. · How do you identify service users and their needs? - We are about normalising using surplus food in order to remove any potential stigma that may come with attending a food bank or a food pantry. - Young parents attending the children’s centre can access our food. · Are there any other services provided by your organisation other than food support? - Not yet but this is something we are looking into, especially with our links to the children’s centre. · Is there a charge for the service(s) provided by your organisation? - No. · Do you currently collect surplus food from any other retailers? - Co Op (Caboodle) - Tesco and Waitrose (Fareshare) - ad hoc Sodexo Live. · Has there been local press or similar that demonstrates your organisation's work in the local community? - Not yet. · Would it be possible to provide photographs of work that your organisation does in the local community? These are on our fb page: Zero Waste - Redbridge · Have you partnered with other local good causes or council members who may be able to provide a reference? If you would like to provide a reference from a local organisation, if you could ask them to email us at food@neighbourly.com as soon as possible, that would be great. - Not yet. · Please include up to date social media links wherever possible. - Zero Waste - Redbridge