A food charity based in south London is looking for charities and community groups tackling loneliness that could benefit from fresh, in-date but unwanted food.
FareShare London, a partnership between the British Red Cross and Co-op, based in Deptford, says it wants to help 400 charities focused on helping people overcome loneliness and isolation.
Last year, it helped feed nearly 35,000 people every week and, in the process, saved nearly 800 tonnes of food from being wasted.
The charity says loneliness is particularly prevalent among older people, and is linked to a range of psychological and physical health problems including heart disease, strokes and Alzheimer’s.
But many people are unaware that other groups can also be adversely affected by feeling alone and isolated, including new mums, people with mobility or health issues, those recently divorced or bereaved and parents’ whose children have flown the nest.
FareShare London development manager, Rachel Ledwith, said: “Using FareShare food our charity members provide life changing support which can be as simple as providing someone with the opportunity to share a cuppa and a hot meal with company instead of on their own.
“It’s incredible to see just how a simple gesture of sharing a meal together can transform not just someone’s day but their whole outlook.”
For more information and to see if Fareshare can help your group, visit: fareshare.org.uk