Be Enriched

It's been a really rewarding few months at Be Enriched.

We were delighted to be honoured with the British Nutrition Foundation’s (BNF) esteemed Drummond Community Award. This accolade acknowledged Be Enriched’s remarkable endeavours in addressing the issue of healthier eating among vulnerable groups in the UK, through our Community Canteens, Kids Clubs and the innovative Food Bus.

Speaking about the award, Bridget Benelam, Nutrition Communications Manager, at BNF, said: “At a time when it’s so difficult for many people to afford a healthy diet, Be Enriched provide nutritious meals from food that would otherwise be wasted to people at risk of social isolation. We were delighted to select Be Enriched as the winner of the BNF Drummond Community Award, recognising the amazing work they are doing for vulnerable people in the community.”

The same week, we also welcomed a new addition to our efforts #EnrichingCommunities. The Food Float is a specially converted electric vehicle, designed to support and compliment the work of the Food Bus. It means we'll be able to do more to help South Londoners access low-cost fruit, vegetables and cupboard staples.

Most importantly, our hearts were again warmed by all the smiles on the little faces at our October Half Term Kids Clubs. During three sessions, we ensured children had the chance for food, friendship and fun, supporting their parents when schools were closed. We're looking forward to the next one already!

Thank you to everyone for their donations - it means the world to us, and those we bring together over healthy food. With #GivingTuesday coming soon, we do hope you will consider supporting our efforts again. Everything makes a difference, and if you donate on Tuesday 28 November, whatever you give we, will get more thanks to GlobalGiving's support.

It's been a busy time across Be Enriched, as we continue to focus on reducing social isolation through food. Alongside the work of our Community Canteens, Food Bus and Kids Clubs, we’ve also been creating new ways we can support the Lambeth, Southwark and Wandsworth communities.

Over the last three months, we have continued to work closely with volunteers to turn surplus ingredients into a hot, healthy three course meal for anyone who needs good food and conversation. It's also been really good to see more and more corporate companies giving up their time to join us in the kitchen, and we have more groups booking for later in the year.

We are in the process of setting up a new Food Float, to support our Food Bus. This will help us to extend the work of this unique double decker. We are also preparing to support families across the summer, while schools are closed, and there's reduced access to free meals for children.

Finally, we are working with our sister social enterprise, Brixton People's Kitchen, to open a new community shop in Clapham. This aims to replicate the offering of the Food Bus, and we hope to open this in the not-too-distant future.

We really appreciate the support of all our donors, especially those who have signed up to provide regularly each month. If you feel able to make another donation, or even become a regular giver, we would be truly grateful.