Back in March 2023, Karen Ludford, Learning Disabilities User Involvement Team Leader at The Advocacy Project, found out about Nourish Hub and the work being done by the team of staff and volunteers. After meeting with Andreea, Nourish Hub Deputy Manager, Karen was overwhelmed not only by the feeling she gained from the safe, welcoming space, but by the ethos and aims of Nourish Hub.
The Advocacy Project supports adults with learning disabilities, their families and carers. Learning that there was a space on their doorstep where Advocacy members have joined Nourish Hub for daily lunches and a monthly community supper in small groups, or sometimes on their own to share a healthy nutritious meal for a very reasonable price. According to Karen this has been ‘a real blessing’. Not only is the food fantastic for everyone, but the safe and inviting space has ensured that many Advocacy members feel confident to meet new members of the community and excited to make new friends.
‘Being an advocate through The Advocacy Project is so much more than simply turning up. We work hard to help bring new skills to many of our members’ lives, helping them with communication techniques and supporting everyone to be part of the community instead of watching it from the outside.’ Karen’s worked with vulnerable members of society for many years and shared that ‘being able to find somewhere, in walking distance of many of our members’ homes, where they can engage, learn and share their time is very powerful.’
Since The Advocacy Project began collaborating with Nourish Hub, they have seen a positive change in many of their adults. Advocacy members have become volunteers at the Hub, learning kitchen and front of house skills. As well as volunteering, Advocacy members can access additional services such as Bike Taxi and CAB who attend the Hub space regularly. The Advocacy staff and members have hired the meeting room on a few occasions to run workshops and they have then all stayed to have lunch in the main space and socialise with the others.
If you’re passing by Nourish Hub, make sure you check out the amazing yellow planters out the front. These were all decorated and planted by a group of Advocacy volunteers who have filled the planters with beautiful fresh herbs and ornamental plants that are used in the kitchen to add flavour and nutrition to the meals and in the Hub as decorations.
The bright airy space, friendly staff and volunteers, the delicious and affordable meals and range of services and activities that take place have made The Advocacy Project feel welcome, valued and supported as important members of our community. Yosief and Robert from The Advocacy Project have taken part in a cookery class, and not only did they learn new skills, but they also brought a lot to the group through their curiosity and lovely personalities.
Andreea shared that ‘The team at UKHarvest and Nourish Hub are really looking forward to seeing how things will progress in the future with The Advocacy team and members. They are an incredible addition to our Nourish Hub family, and we are so grateful to them for the happiness and joy they bring. We will continue to work with Karen and her team to see how we can ensure that we are meeting the members’ needs, while enabling more organisations like The Advocacy Project to engage and use our space, enjoy our food and feel safe while growing and developing their own skills.’
