Words by Smiley Team
Across London, people are continuing to self-isolate, ensuring the protection of the most vulnerable and elderly members of society. It is these people that Hearts and Helpers founder Adrian White has been working tirelessly to support through providing the community with hot meals during lockdown.
Thanks to food kindly donated by the Enfield branch of popular restaurant chain Roosters, Adrian and his team of five volunteers have been able to get food to those who need it most, including NHS staff working in Enfield care home Azalea Court as well as to workers at one of Islington’s Bright Start children’s centres.
Usually, Hearts and Helpers works to support rough sleepers, the formerly homeless and those who are transitioning into new accommodation by providing them with goods to support their everyday needs, reduce financial burden and create a better living space. Continuing this work, the charity has provided meals to women in homeless shelters and has also been handing out meals directly to homeless people across north London.
Earlier in March, the charity distributed 200 bottles of home-made hand sanitiser and later teamed up with the London Fire Brigade who together donated 100 Easter eggs to the children and NHS workers at the Whipps Cross Hospital paediatric ward.
Adrian White, born and raised in Enfield, created the charity hoping to give back to people in his local area - ‘Now more than ever the power of community is needed to prevent those that need the most help from slipping through the cracks. Thanks to our growing team of volunteers we are able to help people in vulnerable situations whilst times are tough.’
The charity is now partnering with Enfield Council Outreach Team to ensure those who are most in need get supported, but after funding the charity work from his own savings, Adrian is now calling on others to help with donations.
The charity has plans to work with other locals in the area including take away chefs to help develop community food parcels for those families who are struggling. To do this, they urgently need funds and have developed a gofundme campaign, which so far has raised £1000 of the required £10,000 needed to support the most vulnerable.
The money will help provide homeless people with care kits including a backpack filled with hand sanitisers, face mask, gloves, first aid kit, socks, hand lotion, wet wipes, fleece, a refillable bottle, and some food. Keys workers will receive items such as face masks, hand sanitiser, hand cream, wet wipes and a supply of healthy ready meals.
To learn more about Hearts and Helpers, you can check out their website, or follow them on twitter or instagram. To donate to the campaign, click here.
