Getir Kingston

Working to strengthen resident migrant communities, our projects revolve around themes of reducing social isolation, inequalities and poverty and improving mental and physical health, and financial and social inclusion.

At The Real Junk Food Project (TRJFP), we collect surplus food and turn it into delicious warm meals that we serve in our Community cafes across the Borough. Food that we don’t use in our cooking is available for our guests to take away with them. Our aim is to feed bellies not bins, and everyone is welcome at TRJFP, particularly those experiencing food poverty, cost of living anxiety or a sense of social isolation. Operating since 2018, we now run 9 different sessions at 6 venues every week across the London Borough of Richmond-upon-Thames, all on a ‘Pay as you Feel’ basis. Our team of 100 brilliant volunteers currently provide around 800 meals every week for our guests. Some of our sessions offer a food surplus hub and cafe, others just a surplus hub. Our venues are ETNA Community Centre in East Twickenham, the Cambrian Centre in Richmond, Linden Hall in Hampton, outside Noble Wines in Hampton Hill, Ham Youth Centre, and Achieving for Children in Ham. Details on what we offer at each venue and when we are open at www.trjfp-twickenham.com Our aim is to create friendly spaces where our guests come together over food to enjoy time together, making new friends or meeting with old ones. We are strong believers that feeling connected to others helps strengthen community spirit, fosters a sense of belonging and builds collective positivity. Our recent guest survey shows us that 88% of our visitors feel that coming to the Project helps them feel more connected to others in their community, and 75% feel a reduction in the food related stress they experience. "It’s good because you go there, you chat to people and they’re very helpful…. the people [volunteers] are friendly and, and it helps a lot with a few bits, you know. It does. Otherwise, it would cost you much more. I mean you go there; you pick up a few stuffs and...it helps a lot, you know" “…Incredible cooking. Feel loved, they make us feel at home, like a family. All of them look after this project like they are hosting in their own homes.” As a Project we are reliant on donations and grants to operate. On average, each meal we provide costs around £3.00 (which is made up of food transport and storage costs, venue rent, utility costs, food packaging, operating overheads etc). Our ambition is to continue to expand our offering, supporting every resident in the Borough who might need us. We rely on the generosity of others to be able to do so. Thank you to everyone who has supported TRJFP on our journey to date.

Kingsbury Community Group was formed to offer help and support to our local community. We started our group just over 4 years ago starting with a Facebook page called what’s happening in Kingsbury Queensbury Edgware and surrounding areas . We now have 24.000 +members During lockdown we visited many vulnerable families and elderly residents living alone. Doing shopping for some picking up prescriptions and providing food parcels for others. We also work with other organisations such as. Brent council and our local safer neighbourhood team to help those in need of food , clothing or furniture items or a little home maintenance help . We collect food donations which we give to 3 local food banks as well as families we support in our community Also we are very fortunate to be able to bring a little joy to the elderly we visit in our local care homes we bring in Christmas gifts ,Easter eggs ,valentines chocolates and roses popping in for a cuppa and a chat brightens every ones day . We have a Facebook page where we share just some of the things we have achieved for our community. Kingsbury Community Group please do have a look 😊