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March 2026 Newsletter
Hello ! Welcome to your monthly update from The Food Chain
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Newsletter Contents
- Feature: Spring Changes in the Chain
- What's been happening
- What's coming up
- Ways to support our work
| | Feature: Spring Changes in the Chain | | |
Spring is finally making its presence known after what feels like a very long grey winter, and it brings some changes to our staff team.
Firstly, at the end of March we will be saying goodbye to one of our Dietitians Lucy Nichols, who after 7 years will be retiring to spend more time with her family, travel and do more yoga. But, as you know, nobody ever truly leaves The Food Chain, so expect to see her popping up at events and checking in on Eating Together to make sure we are following the no salt rule!
Some words from Lucy: "After 7 happy years at The Food Chain, I have decided to retire to be able to spend more time with my family. I have enjoyed working with The Food Chain Team and all the lovely volunteers. I have learned so much from my colleagues and from Service Users and have gained so much personally and professionally from my time at The Food Chain. I will be very sad not to be helping Service Users at Eating Together, many of whom I have known since I started in 2019. I hope I will be back to help with volunteering as I will miss everyone but I'll always be part of The Food Chain family."
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With Lucy’s departure, it has given us the opportunity to make some well deserved changes in the Dietetic team and we are very pleased to announce that from 1st April, Luke White will be promoted to Senior HIV Specialist Dietitian. Luke will take overall responsibility for maintaining and implementing the dietetic expertise of our services, one of the things that makes our charity so unique.
As Luke says: “I'm just thrilled to still be part of this Food Chain family and be given the chance to continue fighting the good fight, alongside you, to bring health, community and smiles to our Service Users. I'm really excited for my new role and the development it brings to our dietetic services, as well my own professional and personal growth."
Also from 1st April, Ornella Trinidade will make a very well-earned transition in to the role of Services Manager. Ornella has gradually taken on more responsibilities throughout her 6 years on the staff team, and this promotion is in recognition of her broadening skills and ever-growing abilities. She will be taking overall responsibility for the day to day running of our charitable services, and working with Luke to ensure our work is maintained and developed according to both Service User and organisational need.
A few words from Ornella: "My journey with The Food Chain is filled with fond memories and rewarding experiences, spanning from my early days as a dietetic support volunteer to now. I am excited to take on my new role as Services Manager. I am looking forward to working with the rest of the team, while keeping our Service Users at the heart of everything I do.”
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We are also saying goodbye to our Volunteer Manager Clare this month, but only on a temporary basis; Clare is heading off on maternity leave. She is sad to say goodbye to everyone for the next year, but looking forward to a couple of weeks of rest before the new arrival joins the family!
We are very pleased to say that Henn Mossery-Golan will be joining the team as Volunteer Coordinator while Clare is away. She brings a wealth of knowledge to the role and we are privileged to have her join the team.
A few words from Henn: "I’m very excited to be part of the Food Chain team! I’ve been working closely with people living with and affected by HIV over the last three years, leading on education projects that tackle stigma. I’m really looking forward to getting to know all of you."
Please join us in wishing Lucy, Luke, Ornella, Clare and Henn all the best and happiness in their future endeavours.
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Soho Walking Tour
The Food Chain, working with the wonderful Dan Glass from Act Up, did our first walking tour through Soho as part of LGBTQ+ history month; taking in memories of The Food Chain - including the church where our very first meal was prepared back in 1988 and stories from the journey of HIV and LGBTQ+ activism. It was a very interactive, informative and at times emotional tour, with participants sharing their own journeys with the group.
Huge thank you to Dan for helping pull this together. We’ll be back next year!
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Pink Proms
We were honoured to be invited again to the Pink Proms in Teddington. Always a fabulous night of music from the Gay Symphonic Winds which, this year, included iconic themes from John Williams and a medley from the Sound of Music. Oh the temptation to sing along!
There was a collection at the end of the evening and we raised over £800! Thank you to Don and the Richmond and Wandsworth LGBT Equality & Ally Group for organising such an uplifting event and making us their charity of choice.
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Join The Board
We're looking for new trustees!
The Food Chain is searching for enthusiastic and engaged individuals for appointment to the Management Committee (Board of Directors/Trustees) of the charity. We are looking for candidates who will help us achieve our strategic ambitions, support the effective delivery of our services and enhance our profile. In particular, this year we would welcome candidates with finance experience.
There is no requirement for previous board experience and training or suitable signposting can be provided. The Board meets 6 times a year and the role is voluntary. It's a chance to join a great team of active and engaged individuals who work together to further the charitable aims of The Food Chain and help to safeguard our future.
If you're interested in hearing more, want to see a full role description or want to have a no-commitment chat about what the role involves, please contact our CEO Anna Brewster on anna.brewster@foodchain.org.uk
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May Fayre
Sunday 10th May
The time has come round once again for cakes, maypoles and Punch & Judy! We will be back at St Paul's Church in Covent Garden on Sunday May 10th. If you are a keen baker, we always need cakes, muffins and savouries, you can bring them to the stall on the day, or drop them off beforehand. Contact Helen on fundraising@foodchain.org.uk for more information. Come down and join the fun!
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London 10K
Sunday 12th July
Calling all runners!
The London 10K will be taking place on Sunday 12th July. It's a fantastic route taking in the main sights of central London; starting by Green Park, going round Trafalgar square, along the river, past Big Ben and finishing along Whitehall. It's one of the few times you can visit central London without getting stuck in traffic!
If you would like to run and fundraise for us this year, please contact Helen at fundraising@foodchain.org.uk
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Support us through your workplace
Corporate support is becoming more and more vital to The Food Chain's sustainability. Many workplaces have Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) budget, employee volunteering incentives, charity or LGBTQ+ societies or "charity of the year" schemes. Why not have a chat with your employers and find out if they'd like to explore working with The Food Chain? Our Community Fundraising Coordinator Helen would be happy to hear from you to have a chat, and you can find ways to get involved on our website here.
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Play the Rainbow Lottery!
We've signed up to become a member of the Rainbow Lottery, where for £1 a week players can be in with a chance of winning up to £25,000! 60p from every ticket supports LGBTQ+ causes and you can choose The Food Chain as yours. Read more about the lottery here and buy your tickets here!
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Give while you shop
Give as you Live Online is a free and easy way to raise money for your favourite charity, just by shopping online. Simply sign up for free at Give as you Live and choose The Food Chain as your chosen charity
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Over 4,000 shops and sites will donate to The Food Chain for FREE when you use easyfundraising to shop with them, so you can support us no matter what you're buying.
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Become a monthly donor
Individual giving is a lifeline to The Food Chain. As little as £5 a month would make a huge difference in ensuring we can continue to provide our vital support - for every pound donated we spend 89p on charitable services. Setting up a payment is simple: just visit our donation page and select the “I’d like to give regularly” option to get started.
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"I'm very happy being part of the Eating Together service. The staff are wonderful, smiley faces, giving me everything to live for. If I didn't have the Food Chain, things will be difficult for me. Each time I come here, it feels like I won the lottery."
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Allan Anderson
Chair of Trustees
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If you have any comments or suggestions on how we can improve future newsletters, please send your thoughts to fundraising@foodchain.org.uk and we'll be in touch.
The Food Chain (UK) Ltd | Registered Charity 1003014 | 020 7843 1800
www.foodchain.org.uk
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