Getir Stratford

Carpenters Café, started by some residents of Carpenters Estate and Trinity Chapel London. The project opened on 5th June 2007 initially as a feeding project targeting the homeless. However over the years, as a result of the current economic climate, we now support a wide variety of groups which include anyone needing a helping hand. We also receive and send referrals to other organizations to provide support. Carpenters Café main objectives are:- • To provide a dinning place that is warm, clean and friendly where people can come and sit, make friends and share a meal • To give free of charge, hot or cold drinks, sandwiches, fruit and vegetables and food packs subject to availability. • To share out household items, clothing, footwear, books, etc that have been donated to Carpenters Café for the benefit of the needy. • To offer support and encouragement with access to computer facilities for job search and basic IT training. • Volunteering services include distribution of advice and information leaflets on healthy eating and lifestyle, a foot pampering session on the last Tuesday of every month and art classes every other Tuesday. The service is delivered by a strong team of volunteers who are reliable and supportive of the charitable aims of the organisation and who share a desire to offer help and assistance to people. We are open to the public every Tuesday from 10am – 12pm. Carpenters Estate Community Hall 17 Doran Walk, (Off Carpenters Road) Stratford, London E15 2JL

At Hackney Community Food Share, our mission is to reduce food insecurity and improve the well-being of our local community by redistributing surplus food donations. We are deeply committed to addressing the growing challenges caused by the rising cost of living and increasing food prices. We identified the need for food support by working closely with local charities, community organisations, and residents who highlighted the struggles faced by many, particularly vulnerable individuals who cannot access traditional food banks. Through these conversations, we shaped our service to ensure it reaches those who need it most. Every Friday, we distribute surplus food donations from Alf Partridge Community Hall, with additional home deliveries throughout the week for vulnerable residents who are unable to collect food in person. Our partnerships with The Felix Project, Volunteer Centre Hackney, The Hygiene Bank Stoke Newington, Hackney Food Network, and the Alf Partridge Hall Tenants and Residents Association have been crucial in expanding our reach. These collaborations allow us to provide essential food and toiletries, ensuring people in need receive the right support. The backing of local councillors, along with Hackney Council’s community volunteering support and grants, has also been invaluable in sustaining our work. In addition to food support, we provide regular food parcels to Mapledene Road Retirement Home, a supported living scheme for over-60s in Hackney. We also host a weekly coffee morning, offering a warm, welcoming space where local people can enjoy a hot drink, a biscuit or pastry, and connect with others. This initiative helps combat isolation, encourages community engagement, and provides signposting to local services. Over time, it has also inspired more local people to volunteer and actively contribute to their community. HCFS is a Neurodivergent-led group, and we understand firsthand the importance of the right support—especially for Neurodivergent parents raising children with additional needs. While our current focus is food distribution, our long-term vision is to develop a peer support network for Neurodivergent parents, creating a space where we can share experiences, offer advice, and support each other in a way that truly meets our needs. We believe in fostering greater acceptance and awareness of Neurodiversity and Neurodivergence in both the community and volunteering spaces. Our services are entirely free of charge, relying solely on donations and community support to continue operating. HCFS is more than just a food share—we are a community working together to create meaningful support networks and connections.

Since the COVID-19 period we have set up a semi permanent FOOD BANK, we are finding that the need for the food bank has escalated and more and more people are finding themselves with less money to put food on the table, people have been effected in many different ways, loss of earnings as well as this their health and wellbeing is also been effected, and it is crucial that with the support off food banks will help to minimise levels of stress. We are a cross community interfaith initiative, providing hot meals, companionships, food and clothes bank, and pampering sessions for the elderly, homeless and individuals in need of all faiths and beliefs. We bring together diverse communities facing hardship. Our key aim is to help tackle poverty, cultural deprivation and isolation. This is achieved by partnering with institutions that are relevant to our service users needs, while providing a safety net for the vulnerable.