Aim

This project will aid our trainees in their next steps, enabling us to provide practical solutions to actual barriers to employment.

At The Feed we are passionate about food and passionate about people. We inspire people by using food towards gaining a more meaningful lifestyle and gaining sustainable employment.

At The Feed our social purpose is to find ways to prevent poverty, hunger and homelessness in Norwich. Daily we work towards our vision which is Communities Free from Poverty. 

We provide the following services ;

Work experience programmes for people who face a barrier to employment within our catering enterprise and social cafe on Prince of Wales Rd in Norwich. We aim to teach people employability skills, build confidence, motivation and self esteem in our positive learning environment.

One to one intensive employability coaching to help people search for opportunities, whether it be training, employment, volunteering or other valuable work placements. They help to set goals for the future, identify strengths and work together to plan next steps for the client.

Volunteering opportunities via our Volunteer Co-ordinator

Referrals and signposting to other training and support providers and volunteering opportunities

Signposting, as part of Norwich City Councils Personalised Housing Plan, where it is identified that a persons lack of housing is caused by their lack of employment

Access to work placements and employment opportunities with our current local employers and corporate partners.

Help with overcoming previous traumatic events through therapeutic services

The Feed have been providing training courses, work experience and information and advice to people since 2014.

We are a small team with big ambitions. We work from our lovely social café on Prince of Wales Road in Norwich, please pop in to say Hello, enjoy a locally roasted coffee and homemade cake with us and see how we are changing lives in Norwich. 

Who do we support?

The people we support are hugely diverse, ranging from those who have experienced homelessness, poor mental health, a history of substance misuse and offending backgrounds. We often support people who are experiencing all or some of these problems at the same time. 

How will your money help our clients?

The Aviva Community Fund money will be used to overcome the practical barriers to employment for our clients. It will assist them on their next steps. All our clients will be able to access the fund (via an application process) to use the money to purchase resources to help them on their way into employment. This will be different & personal to each client. 

For example, for most people, having the money to get to work is something we take for granted. For our clients this can stand in the way of obtaining work. The first month before they get paid can be an impossible time- how will they get there? They could apply for help to pay for transport for the first month of work until the all important pay packet arrives and they can fund themselves.

Or they could apply to buy work boots for a job in construction.

Or it could pay for cooking equipment for a client who wants to set up in the catering industry.

Or it could pay for a training course for a client who wants to further develop their skills in a specific industry.

The possibilities to help our clients are endless. Help us overcome the practical barriers to employment to propel people forward into employment so they are able to lead more fulfilling and self sustaining lives.

Help to change lives in Norwich

This project successfully funded on 22nd April 2020