Pret St John's Wood

Together In Westminster Community is a community-led organisation dedicated to empowering families, women, and young people through cultural, educational, and wellbeing programmes. We provide a safe, inclusive space for learning, support, and community connection, especially for refugees, migrants, and low-income families in Westminster and surrounding areas. Our centre includes a multi-purpose community hall, meeting and classroom spaces, and a small kitchen where we prepare and distribute food to families and individuals in need. We identify service users through a combination of: Community outreach, Referrals from local Cllrs, faith organisations, and Westminster City Council departments, Direct engagement with families already attending our centre,Ongoing needs assessments via one-to-one conversations. All our services, including food support, are provided entirely free of charge to individuals and families facing hardship. We are committed to removing barriers and supporting our community without creating additional financial pressure. we provide: Free Arabic language classes for refugee and migrant women, Wellbeing and creative workshops for women and families, Signposting and support for housing, education, and employment, Youth engagement, volunteering and leadership programmes, Interfaith and cultural events to build community cohesion, Support with digital inclusion and school applications All services are provided with a focus on dignity, accessibility, and cultural sensitivity. At present, we do not collect surplus food from any retailers. We currently rely on small-scale donations from individuals in the community, including families who want to give back and occasional support from local well-wishers. We are proud to work in partnership with the following organisations, We are proud to work in partnership with the following organisations,Westminster City Council – including the Public Health and Community Engagement teams, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, Local Councillors – who have engaged with and supported our community programmes, Local community groups and grassroots initiatives. we have uploaded photographs to our Neighbourly Media Gallery, showcasing: Women’s wellbeing sessions, Family learning workshops and other activities. We are actively seeking partnerships with supermarkets, food retailers, and community surplus schemes to help us expand our food support services and meet growing demand. - General charitable purposes - Education/training - The prevention or relief of poverty - Religious activities - Arts/culture/heritage/science - Amateur sport - Human rights/religious or racial harmony/equality or diversity - Recreation - Children/young people - Elderly/old people - People with disabilities - People of a particular ethnic or racial origin - Provides buildings/facilities/open space

Our project started by simply distributing surplus food to people in need. Slowly our network got bigger that we could not knock on each door on our list anymore, so we agreed I park at one point everyday after collection, and people come to take food. At first people were reluctant to come out of their houses, specially after many recent crimes that happened in Parry road. But slowly people started having the trust to come out and have small chat, and in few weeks all the community were waiting for the slot to distribute, only to meet and have small chat. One lady told me I lived at my address for over 15 years, and this is the first time I know who are my neighbours. We created whatsapp group where I post photo of the food collected, and people get notified so they come and wait. Then we added on the group posting unwanted clothes or furniture, and people welcomed the idea and used it a lot. Now the charity who was giving us the slots ended, people were sad. First they were relying financially a lot on this food, and 2nd they stopped coming out and gathering for chats when taking food. People and children are stopping me in the streets to ask me why we stopped or when we are coming back. I can provide more than 50 family contacts, and I can provide extract of the group chats as testimonial of our work for the last few years. In the last year our group expanded a lot. Many people volunteered, we have in total 23 volunteers who are reaching more areas, more people in need, and more charities. We distribute in weekly basis to Lebanese welfare community in Kilburn, to al Nour Arabic school, Mozart street hostel for homeless. One of our volunteers works in care home in Maida Vale and she takes sandwiches and cakes to elderly people who waits for it. Also we do distribute in Harrow road near Zagros where many people who are in need gather evening. We give to Emmanuel Pantry Harrow road 2 days a week. We distribute to Avenues club in Third Avenue, and to the food bank in Queenspark Primary. Our group is always open to anyone who wants to join. People from the group always send me messages to add more people they know or they just met and they believe they need those donations. Our group currently has 70 members, who some of them also take to people they know.

- Children/young people (16-24) - Mental Health and Wellbeing support - Employment and Apprenticeships support - Sexual Health Clinic - Provides advice/support - Social Hub activities and workshops - Food bank