Closure of the Time & Talents temporary COVID-19 emergency relief food hub
The pandemic forced harsh choices on us all. For Time & Talents, it meant having to stop being a place where people could meet and enjoy the chance to be part of their community.
In partnership with Southwark Council and a network of other community organisations, last May we found a new role as a temporary food hub, storing and distributing food to local households in crisis to support them through the various lockdowns. It was always intended to be an emergency response to an emergency situation.
Fortunately, with the rate of vaccinations continuing to progress well and restrictions gradually beginning to ease, we can see there is light at the end of the lockdown tunnel when we will be able to reclaim our Old Mortuary building as a meeting place and community centre, rather than a food store.
We have been in touch with the households currently receiving food support to offer guidance and advice they may need from April onwards once our food hub closes on Thursday 25 March.
We do want to go on helping to address issues around food poverty and will continue to collaborate with local partners to explore sustainable solutions such as community pantries.
In the meantime. the good news is that, in line with the Government’s roadmap, we hope to start to reopen our doors from April over the coming months to the local people who rely on us for friendship, support and community.
We’re very grateful to our staff, volunteers, community partners and Southwark Council for a fantastic collaborative response over the past 11 months.
For any urgent issues contact the Southwark Council COVID-19 Community Hub in one of these ways:
- Complete an online referral form
- Email covidsupport@southwark.gov.uk
- Phone 0207 525 5000 and choose option 3
As always, we welcome volunteering applications
You can contact the team as usual on 020 7231 7845 and at info@timeandtalents.org.uk
With our very best wishes
Sarah Gibb, Director, and the T&T team
17 March 2021
