It's well known that our Eating Together service is centred around good food, and that our guests always leave with a full belly and a big smile. But did you know that on Wednesdays, we work up our appetites with a talk or activity? We have a rotation of guest speakers who facilitate lots of different sessions designed to build knowledge, strengthen networks and increase overall wellbeing. Representatives from the CAB, the YMCA and other HIV services come by to inform us about the support they can provide. Experts in benefits and welfare run advice workshops. Qualified volunteers run sessions in chair yoga, reflexology, aromatherapy and Indian head massage. By bringing a diverse range of activities into our service, we try to diversify the ways in which our Service Users can engage with us and each other. We've witnessed different activities bringing out confidence in different people, which enables them not only to connect with the service, but also with each other.

And nothing demonstrates this more clearly than when we run our Art Therapy sessions. This practice aims to reduce distress and improve social, emotional and mental health by promoting insight, self-compassion and a sense of agency and self-worth. Art is used to express and articulate thoughts and difficult feelings.

We are lucky to have a trainee Art Psychotherapist in our network, Meriel Rattue, who facilitates these sessions for us at Eating Together. She transforms our space into a temporary studio, saying of the practice "it can be very simple, at Eating Together we draw trees - a universal symbol that everyone can imagine - and then share our stories. I love it as it combines both my passions of supporting my peers and encouraging creativity. Sometimes people voice things that may be hard to talk about, or recall a memory that was long lost, and this is enabled because they have an image to share. Sometimes people have very little to say but have enjoyed the process of producing something beautiful and it being appreciated. For me, the Food Chain sessions are about being in a group of peers and this is what makes the sessions so powerful and safe. I always look forward to learning more from the participants, and am inspired by what is produced. It’s an inclusive, joyful time of gluing, cutting and drawing and then a celebration of creativity and unity."

The process of creating produces an atmosphere of calm and reflection, but the sharing session afterwards is where the beauty really lies. As one Service User reflects "We were drawing a tree, but you end up drawing yourself. You find a link to something inside yourself. Memories came out. It helped me get to know people better". 

We hear stories we've never heard before, even from people who have been part of The Food Chain family for years. We hear about childhood games, life ambitions, memories of home, experiences of loss, dealings with trauma and hope for the future. Through this collective sharing in a space that feels safe, we are able to learn and connect in a way that feels particularly special.

Another Service User summed this up beautifully: "It was mind-boosting. It made us think of where we came from, and how support groups like these have helped us to be where we are now: moving forward without fear. It really helps us to know that we are still able to do something in this world. That we are capable of anything."

Madonna-thon Karaoke

Jungle Electric, 467 Roman Road E3 5LX

Saturday 27th April

After their February event had to be cancelled, we're very excited to announce that a new date has been confirmed for Jungle Electric's karaoke night, hosted by the fabulous Christina Draguilera. And the theme is Madonna! You can expect laughter, songs and games with all monies raised being donated to The Food Chain. Book your tickets and we hope to see you there!

Covent Garden Cake Sale

Sunday 12th May

One of our favourite events is almost coming round again - the truly unique Covent Garden May Fayre and Puppet Festival! Expect maypoles, folk music, balloon animals and of course an astonishing array of Punch 'n' Judy shows. Let's keep our fingers crossed for sunshine as we get our rolling pins at the ready, preparing sweet and savoury bakes to sell in return for donations to The Food Chain. If you'd like to bake something for the stall we'd love to hear from you, email Helen on volunteering@foodchain.org.uk

Nice to see you (to see you nice) fundraising quiz!

Thursday 30th May

Calling all quiz-lovers!

Food Chain alumni and quiz-master extraordinaire Nigel Burch will be running a fundraising quiz night for The Food Chain this May. Expect an evening's homage to your favourite gameshows from the past to the present, where If The Price Is Right, you'll get to Play Your Cards Right and tackle the Wheel Of Fortune.

Tables are for a maximum of 6 at £10 per head - you can book as a team or join a table as an individual or small group. Food and drinks will be available for a donation. Email Peter on kitchen@foodchain.org.uk to book, and be quick to secure your place!

This year we are exploring ways to diversify our income streams, and we're looking for new corporate partners to form a part of that. We have a history of building lasting partnerships with companies and finding creative ways to keep employees engaged with our vital work. Over the years we've worked with teams from Bain & Co, Royal London, The Wellcome Collection, Time Warner, GS1 UK... and many more! We would love to hear from potential corporate partners who are interested in working with us. Our new corporate brochure is a great way to get the word out, so please do share widely with your networks and encourage people to get in touch!

Easter weekend in Soho

We had a wonderfully warm reception in central London over the Easter Bank Holiday weekend. Thanks to our intrepid team of bucket-shaking volunteers Don, Malcolm, Andy, Lyndon, Ned, Gillian and our Peter at the helm, over £2,000 was raised in just one evening! Our warm gratitude goes out to the staff, stars and customers at King's Arms, Halfway to Heaven, Duke of Wellington, Admiral Duncan and Comptons of Soho.