We are a CIC, and we are growing as demand for our services from people affected by Covid-19, and those struggling pre-Covid-19 grows. During the pandemic, we offered our local community a Telephone Befriending project. Data gathered, considering COVID-19 safety restrictions, 85% of our residents wanted a community kitchen, 87% cookery courses, and 91% community garden. It is in this light that we have secured a new building in North Finchley (London borough of Barnet), and we need funding to set up our social enterprise and meet that demand. This involves setting up a social supermarket, community kitchen and restaurant, and community garden. Our CIC seeks to provide tools that promote equity and support for struggling communities. We see the people we want to help as members of society who simply have not been afforded the right tools. We not only want to acknowledge that they are at a disadvantage but enable them to reach their full potential by mitigating various factors.

What we'll deliver:

• Community Kitchen & Restaurant - A space where we promote healthy eating to our community members
• Community Garden - Providing residents with affordable, organic food. It will also help in acquiring new skills.
• Social Supermarket - Selling low-cost food to people in poverty
• Healthy Eating Course - We also want to provide free course which educates and inspires people to create healthy meals.

Why it's a great idea:

We aim to promote healthy eating to our community members. They will get to learn and try new recipes and attend our cooking courses, as well have access to affordable, nutritious food to address poor nutrition. This will increase community cohesion and aid in combat the isolation caused by covid and help those individuals and families who are on low income and affected by food poverty and food insecurity. Especially those who are from BAME groups and disadvantaged. This initiative will also teach residents how to prepare and eat healthy meals on a budget. Our Community Kitchen is led by a professional Chef who is also a community member. We will facilitate the preparation of all the foods for the programme. The community garden also creates opportunities for community members to volunteer and acquire skills such as planning, business, and food production. Thus, this will improve economic opportunities that will lead to employment.

Steps to get it done: