We hosted a lunch with community organisations Nourished Routes and The SPACE at our Factory Quarter development to help support families in West London.
We’re so proud of working with these two organisations who have been running sessions at Factory Quarter on Mondays since February and are now looking at securing future funding to continue the fantastic work they’re doing. The SPACE runs a weekly baby bank providing family support and baby essentials including formula milk, nappies and equipment for those with children up to the age of five. Nourished Routes runs family workshops and after school clubs for children aged 4-11 twice a week including activities with a focus on healthy eating, exercise and mental wellbeing.
The community lunch event on Monday 18 March at the community hub at Factory Quarter highlighted their work. Our partnership team were also there to give residents advice on the support services we have available. They were busy throughout the day talking to residents and will start doing drop-in sessions in partnership with The SPACE each Wednesday at a Money Café. Food charity, City Harvest, also supplied dates for those attendees who were fasting for Ramadan.
Nourished Routes aims to inspire children and young people to lead a healthier, more active and mindful life. This is achieved through workshops coaching children in cooking and nutrition, physical activity, and mental well-being. The initiative was founded by Helen Mullings, a Notting Hill Gensis resident’s daughter, and Community Hub volunteer. After a long career working with children, as well as personal experience, Helen has first-hand knowledge of the importance of children and young people knowing how to look after their health and wellbeing.
She says: “The skills we’re teaching at Nourished Routes are so important. Children are being taught core subjects at school, but vital life skills are often overlooked. If you understand the connection between food, exercise, and mental health from a young age, you’ll be armed with the knowledge to support your overall wellbeing for life."
The SPACE is a community led health and wellbeing charity which aims to improve the health and wellbeing of local communities. Through their comprehensive programmes, families receive budget alleviation support through the provision of household essentials as well as access to physical activities and emotional support. Additionally, they run workshops and coffee mornings where they provide access to community resources to help families navigate challenges and build resilience. Their goal is to alleviate financial strain, create a supportive environment for families to thrive and co-create long lasting solutions for local communities.
At Factory Quarter they have supported vulnerable people and local families hit by the cost-of-living crisis through a food and clothes bank as well as providing baby essentials.
Samia Badani, founder and chief executive of The SPACE, said:
“Our mission to support local families through the cost of living crisis goes beyond providing practical support, it is about restoring hope, dignity and resilience. We see first hand the impact the cost of living is having on people health and wellbeing. It affects local residents across tenures, from all walks of life. We are so pleased to have partnered with NHG to work hand in hand with local residents and help make positive and lasting impact on their lives.
We will continue to work with these two incredible organisations in any way we can and bring their much needed services to our residents.
