Pret Dalston

The Mildmay community Centre is committed to serving the needs of the local community through engagement, participation and partnerships. We are based in London in the borough of Islington. We provide many activities and projects that support those experiencing isolation and poverty as well as working in partnership with local social enterprises and charitable organisations . We are currently striving to set up new projects that our community are asking for : such as a gardening growers project, a food bank, a stay and play and community cafe. Like all charities we are always on the look out for help, donations, volunteers and funding for projects. Due to the Covid 19 crisis we were closed to the public, but continued serving our community hot cooked vegan meals on a Thursday and supermarket food surplus on a Friday. Our volunteers deliver food to the door for the most vulnerable in our community. All donations are gratefully received. We are now re open for our local community to come back and get involved in our various services which include continuation of our food and hygiene bank and co op, After school club, community gardening club, coffee and crafts morning, Golden oldies bingo club, community kitchen and various other projects and services which support our local community. We are particularly focussed on the more vulnerable and isolated people in our community and those experiencing poverty and deprivation.

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.

A community/youth Charity which provides youth activities on Morningside & Gascoyne Estates, in Hackney. Our youth club sessions are open access and we open five days a week and during all school holidays. In addition to generic youth club activities, we run weekly educational support sessions for all ages together with daily physical activities and healthy eating programmes. We also run an award winning youth social enterprise which operates in markets across Hackney. In addition to our youth club we run a weekly food bank on Morningside Estate, which is open to residents of Hackney.