Southwark Food Action Alliance is made up of a diverse network of projects working to improve food security and sustainability across the borough. Over the next few months, we’ll be visiting projects, learning more about their brilliant work, and spotlighting this work through a series of blog posts.
The first organisation we’ll be spotlighting is 1st Place; a nursery, Family Hub, and the lead local partner for the Rose Vouchers Fruit & Veg Project in Southwark.
The Rose Vouchers scheme helps families on a low income to buy fresh fruit and vegetables, to ensure that their children get the healthiest possible start.
In Southwark, eligible families can register for Rose Vouchers at 1st Place, and then they will be able to collect Rose Vouchers from certain collection centres across the borough. They can then use these to get fruit and veg at various market stalls and shops in Southwark.
People registering to get Rose Vouchers are met by a friendly volunteer or member of staff who will signpost them to other sources of support where needed.
1st Place also run a variety of free courses for parents and carers, including HENRY, which focuses on improved nutrition, emotional wellbeing, parenting confidence, oral health and a more active lifestyle.
During these trainings, parents and carers have the option to drop off their children at the 1st Place creche.
The 1st Place Rose Vouchers Project is a vital project in Southwark supporting parents, carers and pregnant people to give the best and healthiest possible start to their children’s lives. Thanks to Rose Vouchers Project Lead Ariela for showing us around!