Pie n Mash Mutual Aid Group & co-operative spaces group, CASH, are excited to join forces to create a much-needed community hub in the borough of Lewisham. We believe everyone is better off when we can all access what we need to lead happy, fulfilling lives. We want to create an inclusive space where people from all backgrounds and ages can connect & learn from each other.  In the hub we will hold workshops, share skills & ideas, offer free & affordable food, provide access to computers & tools, support digital skills & employment, and access to other networks & resources.  While supporting the community with immediate needs, we will work together towards a long-term vision of redefining living & access to food, housing, social spaces & work.  We want the hub to belong to everyone, a place which is shaped & led by our community.  Local people will be involved at every stage from designing the name, logo & decor to running the hub and delivering activities. Join us to create this space!

What we'll deliver:

• Create an accessible and inclusive community hub where different groups in our community feel they belong
• Develop a network for various local projects to come together and further their positive impact
• Increase the benefits of our food programme by setting up a social food co-op where people have more choice and control
• Develop & deliver workshops on community housing, food sustainability, digital & education, DIY & more
• Provide access to resources, including computers, printers, Wifi & DIY tools, with how-to manuals & support available
• Model a democratic, people-centred and community-led approach to social spaces

Why it's a great idea:

This year more than ever has revealed the unacceptable inequality and poverty in our community. Setting up a food coop will grow our mutual aid group’s impact by giving people more choice about their food, & providing the wider community access to low-cost food. Everyone will have a space to learn together and share skills to live better informed & more fulfilling lives. Diverse community groups & members will be able to access, suggest and lead activities, in addition to workshops on community housing, digital & creative skills. This will help to address the rising unemployment and skills gap made worse by the pandemic. We will share job opportunities& provide access to tools, digital resources & computers. The hub will make our community stronger. Social isolation & division are huge issues in our borough, which have increased dramatically in the pandemic. Our community will have access to a space to connect & socialise with people from diverse backgrounds, & develop new friendships.

Steps to get it done:

• May 2021 - Move into site (community engagement)
• May 2021 - Transfer the PnM food distribution project to the new space
• June 2021 - Launch project space with local community and donors
• June 2021 - Workshops start
• July 2021 - Digital Inclusion project launch
• July 2021 - Food co-op launch
• Aug 2021- Library of things launch
• November 2021 - Review of past 6 months and planning for following 6 (12) months
• May 2022 - Celebration of project and announcement of future plans

Pie N Mash is a mutual aid group offering weekly free food to people in South East London. Each week, we deliver food parcels to up to 70 families and serve hot meals at stalls in Deptford and Peckham Squares. We also provide extra support with benefits, utility bills and mental health signposting. We’ve fundraised over £17,000 since the start of the pandemic and were recently nominated for a prize from the Lewisham Mayor. CASH is a member led, cooperatively run, not-for-profit organisation working to secure housing, working and social spaces by keeping them in the ownership of the local community.  CASH and Pie N Mash already have over 400 active members, who collectively volunteer over 250 hours every week on social projects. We’re so excited by the overwhelming support from the community for this project, and hope you help us to bring it to Lewisham. Read our partnership agreement, community engagement and social impact evaluation strategy here ldn.cash and pienmash.org.uk