Words by Smiley Team
Children with Voices has been a vital frontline service in Hackney for over a decade, working to promote positive life skills and life changes for the young children living in the community.
In April 2020, in response to the pandemic, it launched the Community Food Hub – an accessible, inclusive and non-judgemental food bank for anyone who needs them.
In one year, they fed more than 45,000 people with a team of 100+ volunteers and now, more than 600 people come to their food hubs every week.
Now, they're raising money to secure a permanent home in Hackney for a minimum of two years. Rent costs approximately £25k - £35k per year and maintenance costs, bills and adapting the space to deliver our services.
(Read more about this city which is feeding the hungry)
With their experience and deep roots in the community, this building will have Hackney and all its residents at its heart: a space to listen, act and achieve change together.
“The community food hub has helped me not to go hungry with my weekly food supply during these uncertain times," said Ivy, a Hackney resident. "I have ongoing issues with my legs after coronavirus and I cannot walk long distances as before. The truth is I do not know what I would have done".
Their target of £100,000 will provide them with two years worth of rent, and additional funds to cover bills, furniture and fittings and ongoing maintenance cover – it'll also provide a sustainable future for their borough, organisation and those who they serve.
(Read more about this summer kitchen tackling holiday hunger)
Children with Voices was founded in 2007 when founder Michelle Dornelly’s son got caught up in gang postcode wars, and was fearful of crossing invisible boundaries in the borough.
She instinctively understood that the best way communities could tackle this was together and so she created safe spaces, not just from criminal exploitation and gang violence but food poverty and obesity. Children With Voices has grown into a vital lifeline for Hackney residents, and is now a registered charity.
Since 2009, it has running its free youth program Jumping Beans and Young Ambassadors. These sessions cover 17 areas of Hackney and specifically engage young people of colour, those from deprived backgrounds and SEN children.
One volunteer, Olivia, said: "Volunteering for Children With Voices is so inspiring. I have delivered food for other Hackney charities but working for Michelle and her team was so much more rewarding. Five minutes volunteering and you feel more positive about the state of the world.”
SUPPORT THE CROWDFUNDER: You can donate to Children With Voices GoFundMe crowdfunding appeal.
VOLUNTEER: Find out what volunteering opportunities they have on the dedicated page on their website.
