Background 

We are exploring the creation of a network related to food and essential items with funding from The National Lottery Community Fund. This is in response to one of the key funding criteria around supporting communities to recover from the effects of the pandemic, including around the cost of living crisis. Following the work Community Action: MK  undertook during the first winter after the cost of living crisis struck, we know that access to food and essential items is a vital area of support.

This network interlinks with a range of issues – food poverty being one, but also issues related to sustainability of food and food waste etc, and has clear links to other networks, including those related to climate action and refugee support. 

Where are we now?

In Spring/ Summer 2024 we are at the initial stage of asset mapping and reaching out to local VCSE groups and organisations that are supporting communities through a range of services related to food and essential items distribution. 

We are aware that a lot of collaboration work is already taking place. We are keen to build on this, and see how we can link groups to other networks that might be able to further support the relief of poverty across Milton Keynes. 

Next Steps

Later in the year, we are hoping to bring a range of groups together to discuss what collaboration as part of this network could look like and what form of support from Community Action: MK will be most beneficial. 

We are keen for a range of groups and organisations to get involved – not only those that provide food and essential items services, but other groups that are supporting local residents and have opportunities to reach those that are in most need. 

We are also really keen for representatives from this network to join the Voluntary Sector Alliance, so issues relating to food poverty in Milton Keynes are fed into the group, allowing the Alliance to communicate this data more widely, particularly to local decision/ policy makers and service providers so that the issues are more deeply understood.

How can I get involved? 

All voluntary groups/ charities interested in getting involved with this network, are welcome to join. If you would like to get involved, please contact us at networks@communityactionmk.org. 

We held the initial meeting to explore creation of this network Thursday 11th July 2024. You can access the resources from this meeting below:

Please look out for further updates on this page and in our regular newsletter at bit.ly/CAMKNewsletter

Access Shared Resources and Notes Here