Tackling social isolation, supporting unhoused people, and enabling people to learn new skills, all while reducing food waste, are the key missions of north-east charity Inverness Foodstuff.

In this next edition of Connected Communities, the ALLIANCE's Calum Clark speaks with the operations manager of the charity about its aim to nurture an environment for friendship, food and support as a vessel for positive change.

As an organisation with a mission to support the homeless, tackle social isolation, challenge food poverty, and enable people to improve their health and wellbeing, Inverness Foodstuff is a charity who utilise integrated practices to champion the community, break down barriers across society, and demonstrate the value of the third sector.

Established in 2014 with the motto “more than just a meal”, the organisation is based in Inverness city centre and provides over 1,100 lunches a month to around 500 people.

By serving nutritious vegetarian meals using surplus food that has been donated, prepared and served by their volunteers, Operations Manager Pam Urquhart says that Inverness Foodstuff is all about community.

“Demand from the local community has really exceeded our expectations”, Pam says. “It’s been heartwarming to see people relaxing, enjoying lunch, and friendships being formed, as highlighted by one of our regular participants who said “it’s a life saver as I’ve made good friends”.”

Since September 2023, Inverness Foodstuff have been working with Highlife Highland, who provide Hilton Community Centre where the organisation operates its services in the Hilton area of Inverness – an area with high levels of deprivation.

This service seeks to reduce social isolation and loneliness, as well as address food insecurity, which showcases the value of the third sector in contributing to health and social care integration.

“We welcome people of all ethnicities and ages, and current participants include a 94-year-old and a three-month-old baby!”, Pam adds. “We offer safe spaces without judgement where everyone is welcomed, accepted and listened to. No one is means tested and no one has to register.”

Many of the charity’s participants live in temporary accommodation, whilst also managing additional challenges such as substance use disorders, poor mental and physical health, and loneliness.

Inverness Foodstuff uses a holistic approach, and by working in integrated ways, the charity has harnessed the value of the third sector by breaking down barriers across sectors for the benefit of the community.

“It’s through our partnership work with organisations like the Highland Council, NHS Highland, and Highlife Highland that we can help participants access the support and assistance they require”, Pam says. “We know some life experiences can make people reluctant to engage with mainstream services, and so we bring the services to them and break down these barriers.”

With integration being at the forefront of their work, participants benefited from financial gains of £33,000 in unclaimed benefits and successful appeals in 2023, thanks to the charity organising for Citizen’s Advice Bureau to attend their cafe twice every week. 

Inverness Foodstuff is aware of the challenges and barriers ahead. But Pam remains optimistic that the impact of the third sector in putting people and communities at the centre of their own lives will strengthen the charity moving forward.

“There will be challenges this year, not least ensuring we are able to attract funding”, Pam says. “However, there will also be opportunities, yet unexplored, to develop new and exciting initiatives with our partners, which will enable us to provide so much more than just a meal for our participants.”

The views of columnists and people who write other guest insights articles are their own.

This article was originally published as part of the Connected Communities series by the Health and Social Care Alliance (the ALLIANCE).

The original can be accessed here: Serving the community “more than just a meal” in Inverness

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