Know Africa Event Food parcels
To engage with, and provide food parcels, to new residents who live in Wythenshawe, particularly people from BAME groups.Benefit of food provision
Food insecurity has been shown to have a negative impact on mental and physical health across the lifespan. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Food Foundation estimates that the number of adults facing food poverty has quadrupled. Providing food parcels has been a popular and effective community response to the increased demand for and pressure on community food support, particularly food banks. Community groups are well-placed to provide support to hard-to-reach groups and the clinically extremely vulnerable who are required to self-isolate. Their cultural understanding and local knowledge helps ensure provisions meet the needs of local residents. Food boxes encourage families to cook from scratch which is associated with a healthier diet and increased fruit and vegetable intake.
Location
Wythenshawe wide
Project team
Know Africa
buzz
Aim
The main aim was to engage with new residents and build connections within the local community. I will be following this up in the new year to start discussions from the community questionnaires.
Evaluation
Due to Covid-19 restrictions I wasn’t able to meet the residents myself and whilst completing the community questionnaires. The pre-paid envelopes have been very helpful during this period, we have received a good number of questionnaires back in the post.
At the moment linking in with existing community activities to complete questionnaires is proving to be relatively successful, however I will reflect on this further once this group has been contacted.
Strategic links to local/national policies
|
Benefit |
Policy |
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Helping people live healthier lives |
Healthy Lives, Healthy People (MH Government, 2010) Fair Society, Healthy Lives (Institute of Health Equity, 2010) The Manchester Locality Plan – A Healthier Manchester |
|
Increased mental wellbeing |
|
|
Addressing health inequalities |
Fair Society, Healthy Lives (Institute of Health Equity, 2010) |
|
Community ownership and long-term sustainability |
Research/evidence base
Graven, C.; Power, M.; Jones, S.; Possingham, S. and Bryant, M. (2020). Interim Report: The impact of COVID-19 on the provision of food aid in Bradford.
Gundersen, C. & Ziliak, J. P. (2015). Food Insecurity And Health Outcomes. Health Affairs. 34:11, 1830–1839.
Macaninch, E.; Martyn, K; Lima do Vale, M. Exploring the implications of COVID-19 on widening health inequalities and the emergence of nutrition insecurity through the lens of organisations involved with the emergency food response. (2020) BMJ Nutrition, Prevention & Health.
NCVO (2018) Impactful Volunteering: Understanding the Impact of Volunteering on Volunteers
Rachel Loopstra, ENUF, King’s College London, The Food Foundation. (2020). Vulnerability to food insecurity since the COVID-19 lockdown.
Contact
Emma Farrell - Neighbourhood Health Worker
T. 0161 271 0582
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