Nacoa volunteers join the team at Finsbury Park food bank
On Sunday 27 September, a group of Nacoa volunteers represented us at a food bank and soup kitchen at St John the Evangelist Church in Finsbury Park, North London.
A welcome for everyone
The food bank is run entirely by volunteers and serves around 300 hot meals every week. Anyone can come along. There’s no referral and no need to prove any kind of status, so people can simply turn up and be welcomed.
Alongside the meals, the team works with organisations like us to make sure guests know about other support they can access.
Nacoa on the day
Wearing their Nacoa t-shirts, Malcolm, Ruth, Becky and Jade arrived once morning Mass had finished.
Their role was to talk with guests, introduce Nacoa and hand out our literature. The main message was that our Helpline is available to anyone of any age and doesn’t need a referral.
Bea, the food bank’s coordinator and safeguarding lead, was on hand throughout in case any guests shared something of concern.
It was a privilege to stand alongside my brilliant Nacoa friends to support the extraordinary work of St John’s Soup Kitchen & Food Bank, seeing the volunteers turn compassion into action while helping us raise vital awareness of Nacoa.
Malcolm, Nacoa volunteer
Reaching people where they feel comfortable
Many people who come to a food bank are facing pressures at home. For those who grew up with a parent’s drinking, or who are supporting someone affected by it, knowing there is somewhere to turn can make a real difference.
Being present in a place where people already feel comfortable and cared for is one way that we can reach those who might not otherwise hear about us.
We are enormously grateful to Bea and everyone at the food bank for the warm welcome, and to Malcolm, Ruth, Becky and Jade for giving up their Sunday.
Guests found your presence, and learning about Nacoa’s support and services, very comforting. Your warm and welcoming nature will have helped them feel brave enough to reflect and consider reaching out in future.
Bea, Volunteer Coordinator at St John’s Soup Kitchen & Food Bank
Looking ahead to Christmas
We also shared literature with Bea for the food bank’s upcoming Christmas campaign. This means that information about our support will reach even more people during a time of year that can be especially difficult for anyone affected by parental alcohol problems.
Get involved
Do you know a food bank or soup kitchen that might welcome a Nacoa visit? We’d love to hear from you. Drop us a line on volunteering@nacoa.org.uk and we’ll go from there.
Events like this are only possible because of our volunteers. If you’d like to join them, please complete our volunteer application form.
