#ItsOkay Food Provisions Leaflet

Outreach project to signpost residents in need of food provisions over winter period.

Benefit of community based projects

Volunteering in community projects and performing acts of kindness can have a positive impact on mental wellbeing. There is a small amount of evidence to suggest that getting involved in environmental activities and projects may also have a positive impact on physical health. Community engagement can foster a greater sense of ownership and identification with the local area, which may lead to long-term sustainability. It can also combat social exclusion and empower individuals.

Location

Ardwick & Longsight

Project team

Neighbourhood Health Workers (Nico Dhillon, Aron Thornley, Yasmin Holgeth)

Ardwick & Longsight Mutual Aid Group (multiple partner organisations and individual volunteers)

Special mention to: Jenna Shaw (volunteer designer)

Food provisions (banks and grocers) mentioned in booklet:

Ardwick & Longsight Food Bank

Qadria Jilania Mosque

Work for Smile

Wonderfully Made Woman

Edo Diaspora UK CIC

Coverdale and Newbank Community Grocers

Brunswick Beestro

Bread and Butter Thing

Jubilee Church

West Gorton Community Grocers

Humans Manchester

Manchester Central Food Bank

Aim

To provide residents in need with information about local food banks and grocers.

To battle stigma around accessing food banks.

Testimonial

“Thanks so much for creating this spreadsheet, this will be really useful in the upcoming months!” - Food bank employee

Evaluation

This project was a success.

The information gathering took some time due to changes in COVID restrictions. However organisations involved were very receptive to being included in the booklet and the mission of ALMAG.

This project came about through successful appreciative enquiry using Zoom as a meeting tool. The Whatsapp group was a way to share updates and celebrate the work happening in the area.

A main success was the encouraging feedback received from local organisations on how they will also benefit from the engaging leaflet to signpost service users.

Working closely with Jenna (volunteer) was a great way to establish a connection with an engaged resident.

The leaflet was shared across organisations, residents, GPs and further afield.

Engagement tools:

Zoom
Emails
Phone
In person distribution

Strategic links to local/national policies

Benefit	Policy
Increased mental wellbeing	Manchester Health and Wellbeing Strategy
Social inclusion More engaged in community	Manchester Population Health Plan NHS Five Year Forward View (Department of Health, 2014) Manchester Population Health Plan
Community ownership and long-term sustainability	Healthy Lives, Healthy People (HM Government, 2010)
Empowerment of individuals	Healthy Lives, Healthy People (HM Government, 2010) NHS Five Year Forward View (Department of Health, 2014)
Increased physical activity and physical health	Manchester Health and Wellbeing Strategy