East Dulwich estate gets ‘sociable’ helping hand with deliveries of cheaper foods
By Kelsey McCabe
A London housing association has teamed up with Southwark council and city charities to bring high-quality food to council estate residents at low prices.
Southern Housing and Southwark council have collaborated with Hubbub, The Felix Project, and Albrighton Centre to lessen the impacts of food shortages at Dawson’s Heights estate in East Dulwich.
Through the collaboration, Southern Heights and Southwark council have introduced a weekly community fridge at Dawson’s Heights, which offers fresh and shelf-stable groceries at low prices.
A renovated milk float established by Be Enriched – a charity focused on reducing social isolation through food – also offers fresh produce every week.
Amy Washbrook, food project coordinator for Southern Housing, said: “ I’m working with and for residents who’ve lived in the same block but feel isolated from neighbours. They meet at the community fridge and are now good friends.
“People turn up over an hour early just to sit and chat with neighbours. We’re connecting and bringing residents together.”
Southern Housing has brought other community initiatives to Dawson’s Heights. Every other week, residents can receive free health checks from the Public Health Vital 5 van.
Other programmes include an after-school club run by Spring, which offers free activities and meals every week, and community garden plots established through Arbor Projects.
A Southwark council spokesman said: “We want everyone in Southwark to have access to healthy food. The Food Float helps make that possible by bringing affordable, healthy food directly to Dawson Heights each week.
“We’re proud to work with Southern Housing and Be Enriched to build a stronger local food system.”
Pictured top: A converted milk float at Dawson’s Heights (Picture: Southern Housing)
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