FOODprint Dundee Initiative

Foodprint Dundee is a community food initiative that stemmed from The Gate Church's Climate Challenge Funding. The initiative aims to boost people's confidence, knowledgeand skills to cook and eat healthily on a budget.  As well as healthy eating,  the project promotes reduction of individual's environmental 'foodprint' through managing meals smartly, storing food appropriately, using leftovers, and so on.  "We throw away over 1/3 of all food that is produced, and food waste in landfills is one of the biggest contributors of the harmful gases that cause global warming, so that's bad news for both our pockets and the environment!".
The Foodprint team are armed with helpful tips on how to make the most of available ingredients in order to reduce food waste and save money.
To date, they have partnered to run sessions in numerous settings across Dundee, from St. Ninian's Stay and Play Family Support Group, to teaming up with the Taught By Muhammad project to run sessions at the Cairn Centre, and with the Claverhouse SMART Lone Parent programme.
They are keen to share their tips and resources with others who do community food work, in order to spread these useful messages far and wide, so do get in touch!

For more information, please contact Sema at sema@the-gate.ork.uk and follow theFoodprint Dundee Facebook page here

Food on Friday Update

Food On Friday continues to outreach some of the poorest families in Douglas, Whitfield, and the neighbouring communities, providing support for families to take responsibility to improve their lifestyles.
Their vital work within Claypotts Castle Primary allows relationships with children and their carers to be built. Cooking, gardening, heart health and tasting new foods are all provided by the project.
Anthea’s Cook Schools during the holidays continues the relationship with the children, and much fun is had by all over the 3 day programme. Many skills are gained, such as team work, cooking new recipes, fitness, gardening, knife skills and learning about kitchen hygiene.
Food on Friday also run other activities, such as Women’s Cooking groups, and 6th year pupils volunteering, where the pupils also receive some life coaching as well as getting experience in the work place.
Food on Friday, after hitting a tough financial blip, has driven itself forward into a place it has never been. Through social media, radio, television and networking promotion, Food on Friday has become well known across Dundee and respected for its achievements and successes in tackling childhood poverty.
Many new partnerships have been formed and they now look to a bright future. 
Anthea of Food on Friday states that she is "honoured to work within this community and will continue to strive to outreach to the people who really need it."

A heartening example of communities pulling together in support of a great cause.

For more information, contact Anthea on 07599 414062 oranthea.reidcpw@hotmail.co.uk

Feature Project: 'Taught by Muhammad' at Yusuf Youth Initiative (YYI)

Earlier this month I met with Rizwan Rafik from ‘Taught by Muhammad’ at Yusuf Youth Initiative (YYI) and asked him some questions about the project.

Tell me about your work and how the project started?
YYI started in 2004 when we identified that there was a need for something for young people in the Muslim Community because many young Muslims were disengaged from wider society. For this reason when it started YYI was just doing youth development work including activities to integrate young people into wider society. We started a Scout group for youth up to aged 14. As that grew we identified a need for something that helped those over the age of 14 with skills, employability, and volunteering opportunities. We developed ‘Change Makers’ to offer these opportunities to young people. As young people were building up life skills we saw the opportunity to help young people outreach to the local community and to help others, with the hope that this would contribute to a more tolerant and integrated society in Dundee. This was the start of ‘Taught by Muhammad’ which is the project that I work for.

‘Taught by Muhammad’ has a number of different projects within it. We run a food bank, where we collect food from the Muslim Community as well as the wider public. We receive referrals from local agencies and then deliver the food to those that need it. We run two Curry Kitchens once a month (see photo below showing volunteers at a curry kitchen). One is at the Salvation Army Drop In and the other is with the Claverhouse Smart Lone Parents Programme. For both of these our volunteers (aged 16 plus) cook and prepare the food and then serve it at the Salvation Army, or deliver it to unemployed single parents. The Curry Kitchens provide the opportunity for our young volunteers to develop team work and cooking skills, and to grow in understanding of the challenges some people in Dundee face. It is also an opportunity for them to meet with the wider community and break down barriers.

 

We have some other work that we are in the early stages of developing including taking presentations into external organisations such as schools and universities to help bridge understanding between Muslim’s and other communities. This is because a large percentage of 18-24 year olds say that they don’t trust the Muslim community. We want to help break down barriers, and build safer communities. Another new initiative is working in partnership with Dundee West Youth Team bringing YYI and local youth from Lochee and Menzieshill together through things like football. This is also aimed at growing understanding and integration. We are also planning to run a Budgeting Cooking Programme together with the Cairn Centre and a worker from the Gate Church. In the future we would also like to develop a programme for older members of the Muslim community to reduce isolation.

What is the connection of your project with faith?

Our work is inspired by faith and our remit is targeted at the Muslim community. However we believe that we are trying to project values that are shared by all people, such as kindness. We are not about promoting Islam as a religion, but about developing the Muslim community, outreaching to those who are in need in Dundee, and building bridges between the Muslim and the wider community.

What do you think has been the impact of your work?

I think our impact has been very positive. We have had good feedback from the people we are working with at the Curry Kitchens. The people we work with now feel comfortable with us and we have formed good friendships. Working for the good of others together has promoted tolerance. Those who we serve food to were at first a little apprehensive, but over the last year they have got to know us and realised that we are normal people that they can have a joke and a laugh with.

The first youth football tournament run in partnership with the Dundee West Youth Team was a success. The young people enjoyed it and have asked to do it again.

I think it is important for Dundee’s Muslim community to play a part in addressing Dundee’s social issues and help to build a closer knit community. I think ‘Taught by Muhammad’ and YYI are helping this to happen.

Do you have any message for those thinking about starting similar projects like yours?

I think it is very important to engage with the local community whatever your target age group, as there are so many needs. It is excellent to see different strands of work being done in Dundee but there is still more that needs to be done. I would actively encourage other youth to do something even if it is little. Everything starts with something small-it doesn’t have to be a massive thing. For example helping your neighbour when they are ill.

Thank you to Rizwan for giving his time to speak to me. If you would like to find out more about ‘Taught by Muhammad’ and YYI you can contact him on: rizwan.rafik@taughtbymuhammad.com

Feature Project – Parish Nursing at the Steeple Church, Dundee

                                    Barbara McFarlana (left) and Davina Dickson (Right)

                                         Interviewed by Varsha Gyawali, FiCDundee

                                   

Recently I met with Barbara McFarlane and Davina Dickson, parish nurses with the Steeple Church Dundee. Parish Nursing ministry provides whole person health care through the local church.

I was keen to learn more about parish nursing so I posed a few questions to Barbara and Davina.

What exactly is a parish nurse  and what role do they play within the Parish?

A parish nurse is a Christ centred registered nurse, who works within the church alongside the ministry team. The roles of a parish nurse are many and varied. This can involve health education, counselling, bereavement support, referring people to appropriate healthcare professionals, networking, training volunteers, advocacy  and some parish nurses administer sacraments. A parish nurse does not divorce the physical care from the spiritual they are intrinsically linked, inclusive of spiritual, physical emotional and social needs.

Is this ministry world wide or just confined to Scotland?

No. Parish Nursing is a world wide organisation,. It started in the USA in the 1980's and came to the UK in 2004. There are over 80 Parish Nurses in the UK, nine in Scotland, the numbers continue to grow.

Tell me about your work and how the project started?

Barbara: I first was introduced to Parish Nursing in 2006 through someone in the Church. What I heard really spoke deeply to me and I felt God challenging me to become involved. I shared this with a few close friends who prayed about it with me. I then approached the Minister and the congregation of the Steeple Church, they too prayed and supported me.

So in 2008 the Parish Nursing Project commenced in the Steeple Church.

The project was initially set up to promote health check-ups. However slowly but surely God opened my eyes to the needs of people on the streets. I started by chatting to them, offered coffee and sausage rolls, gained their confidence and eventually invited them to the Steeple Church for health check-ups.

This evolved, we now have outreach clinics, on a Monday and Thursday from 2.00pm to 3.30pm. At these clinics we provide a warm safe environment for vulnerable people to come to. We provide a warm meal, and if necessary clothing, toiletries, even the occasional sleeping bag for those sleeping rough.  The NHS Health and Homeless team and a mobile dental unit attend on Monday, Lilly Walker Homeless Prevention team attend on Thursdays, working together we provide a wide range of services and support both immediate and on-going.

We are able to do this because of the support we receive from the Church of Scotland, Steeple Church, a local butcher and coffee shop who donate food.  But none of this would be possible if we did not have our volunteers, an amazing dedicated group who come from a variety of backgrounds and ages.

Davina: While all this was going on with Barbara in Dundee, God was busy preparing me in N Ireland. I felt that God was calling me to come to work in Dundee, my previous work and life experience encompassed much of what parish nursing entailed. On completion of the parish nurse course I successfully applied for the parish nurse position in the Steeple church in 2011.  My position is part-time. As well as working with the drop in clinics I partner with the Hot Chocolate project which is a group working alongside young people in Dundee.

How is the project progressing?

Davina and Barbara:

It is growing. In 2012 we had 2210 attendees compare with 650 in 2010.Not only is the attendance increasing so to is our involvement within the community.

A very important link with other agencies was birthed in 2012 out of a simple conversation about resources and who was providing what services in Dundee for vulnerable people. This led to the formation of the Dundee Drop in network (DDI) comprised of a range of Christian churches/organisations, secular groups, statutory, bodies( NHS and Community police) and Hillcrest housing. This group meets quarterly to support, inform and share.

From this group came the publication of a pocket friendly weather proof leaflet detailing the weekly services and service providers for Dundee Drop Ins.  This leaflet is widely circulated in Dundee.

Barbara was invited to share about the Steeple Project and the DDI Partnership with the Health Inequalities Research Group in Dundee University. Dr Fernandez was present at that meeting, he was very impressed by the talk and asked to be introduced to the DDl group.

As a direct result of this contact we are in the early stages of a participant research study. We hope to explore, with the involvement of the folk who use the DDI facilities how best to bring about sustainable changes which may improve the quality of their lives.

FICDundee carried out a needs gaps analysis relating to the DDI group, and based on the findings, a Participatory Action Research has been initiated now along with University of Dundee -  the research aims to identify gaps and needs in service provision for the DDI users and provide evidence for advocating and improving the life experience of these vulnerable people.

What is the connection of your project with Faith?

It is very important to draw alongside people, once a relationship is formed then it is possible to sensitively share our faith and to tell them about God who loves them completely, absolutely and unconditionally. We do not preach we just drawn alongside, accept the person for who they are.

What do you think has been the impact of your work?

It is hard to quantify the impact as some of it is not visible. However we believe and do see evidence that our work has improved the health and well being of vulnerable people in Dundee as well as creating an awareness in our community of health and social issues.

What have been some of the main challenges for your project?

Both nurses feel the problems that they encounter are multi-factorial. They spoke of how people are finding it difficult to cope with the benefit changes and the bedroom tax, so adding more stress to those who are already marginalized. Limited resources, whether volunteers or finances, can sometimes be challenging for Barbara and Davina.   

They expressed that they can become tired and discouraged at times, especially when people who have made progress in improving their lives slip back. When this happens they found the support offered within the church family and each other invaluable. They emphasized that they do not give up on “our folk”, we simply just pick up and start again.

What do you think has made the project accepted by those it  is trying to serve?

One word TRUST!

Explaining their relationship with the people they serve, the Parish Nurses said:

We are respected as nurses, as professionals, but more importantly our folk see and experience our care for them; having been in a position of providing not only food, personal healthcare, been to visit in hospital, prison, court, sat on the pavement and listened they know we care and trust grows. In their own way they become protective towards us. We are not naive we understand the grip addiction has on their lives and how difficult it is for them to cope with day to day living. We choose to show compassion and love because of our faith in God.

Any message for those who are planning to start similar projects like yours?

·         Start small and take time to prepare before setting things up.

·         Identify gaps before you start any initiative, there is no point in duplicating work.
·         Network  Both within your own organisation and  the community
·         Understand  and accept your strengths and weaknesses
·         Get in contact with the DDI group.
·         Be patient and resilient.
·         Be resourceful.
·         A good sense of humour goes a long way!
 

Feature Project - The Attic

 

As part of our regular feature, we present to you excerpts of interview with Bruce White from The Attic, a registered charity that is based in Kirkton and works with children, young people and families in Dundee.  

Tell us about your work.

We moved to Kirkton from Hilltown little less than a year back. Although our heart still lies in children and youth work, we are now gradually focusing towards addressing the needs of the families and local community. Our activities include running kids club for children aged 5-11 years, clanz group for 11-16 years, lunch club, parent-toddler book bug group, and organizing camps and trips for young people. We also regularly interact with families through home visits and have recently initiated a community gardening project. We recognize that community projects are built on valuing relationships with families, thus, we want to create a place for people to engage, access our services and use our space to encourage community development.      

What is the connection of your project with Faith?

Most of us working at the Attic come from a Christian faith background. Our faith is the motivation for what we do – it teaches us the meaning of love, care and compassion like honouring your parents. Faith is something that is not just for oneself but to be shared with others. We run bible a study group. But we offer our activities to people from various faith and non-faith backgrounds. Our work is relational in nature and is based on trust and friendship. Some families were initially unsure, but they liked us as a group of people. And as they saw how we worked, they felt safe to engage with us. At the end of it all, it is about how genuine you are and how committed you are to support the community.  

What do you think has been the impact of your work on young people in Kirkton and its neighbouring areas?

More than anything else, I think we have created a real and informal space for the young people to use. They do what they feel like doing here at the Attic -sometimes, they just drop in and hang out with their friends. Other times, they participate in various activities and workshops including arts, baking, debates on topical issues and so forth. For them, it is their ‘place’ – there is a sense of ownership. Lot of times, we get together with our young volunteers and eat meals together. All of this seems to boost their confidence, and they feel that they are part of an extended family. At the moment, we have about 40-60 children attending kids club and 20-30 young people attending clanz, while another 10-20 families use our services.     

What have been the key challenges for your project? Did you face any issues when you moved your base to Kirkton? 

Because there was an absence of a project like this in Kirkton for nearly two years, everyone seemed excited to have us around. We felt welcomed by the church, the community centre and the local families. The key challenge perhaps was whether we will be able to meet their expectation or not. And perhaps on a practical level, we are only 2 staff members at the moment and open for specific timings while we know that the locals would prefer us to open throughout the week.      

Considering that you have become popular amongst youths in Kirkton area in a short span of time, what do you think has worked for you?

What works for us is that we are very passionate about our work, and our faith supports our commitment. We also work very hard. Over the years, we have worked towards building a strong group of 20 volunteers who have a sense of accountability for the project. We have also received support from the Council, in terms of funding and space, and that immensely helps the project.

 

What has been some of your key learning around running the Attic project?

It is very important to understand the real need of the community. You can look at statistics to derive evidences, but it’s critical to talk to the people living in the community. And more importantly, you need to involve the locals in developing and implementing the project. For example, it was the young people who chose the name ‘the attic lounge’ – they designed the logo and painted the hoarding board. That’s why they feel that Attic is their place. It is also vital to invest in your leaders and value your volunteers. While volunteers could work in a particular aspect of the project, it is important to engage them with the wider team. Faith has also been a common thread for all of us working at the Attic. 

Any message to people who are planning to start youth or similar projects like yours?

Before you start anything in your local area, listen to people’s stories and find out what is going on in our community.

Address: 2-6 Beauly Avenue Dundee DD3 7AG

Telephone: 01382 884 336

Website: http://theattic.btck.co.uk/

St. Ninian’s Stay and Play Family Support Group

Excerpts from interview with Rhona Armitage, Group Leader of St. Ninian’s Stay and Play Family Support Group, that recently received DVA Volunteer Friendly Award and a Dundee Partnership Award.

Describe your area of work?
Our project is trying to reach out to and support isolated families with children aged 0-5 years, who are distressed not only by poverty, income inequalities and mental health problems but may also suffer from abuses like drugs, alcohol and physical violence. We are supporting people who have not engaged with the statutory services. We offer structured programmes and therapeutic services like gym, drama, arts etc., provide free food and invite statutory and voluntary bodies to the group including language therapy, pre-school home visiting service, social work, adult literacy, Dundee Women’s Aid and Money Matters.

What is the impact of your work on local communities?

The outcome has been very positive for both the children and their parents. We have been able to develop linkages for them with various statutory services and other voluntary groups. Most importantly people are beginning to build stronger relationships and maintain them outside the group.

What is your connection with Faith?
We are based in St. Ninian’s Scottish Episcopal Church and have clear connection with faith; but it depends on how you define the term. Our project is not only for Christians and we welcome everyone – families of no faith and families from other faiths who may benefit from our work. Fay Lamont, who is one of the Trustees of the project, does pastoral work for the group and spends time developing relationship with families attending the group.

What are the strengths of your group?
The strength of our group is that we understand the needs of our community and provide services that families and children enjoy and benefit from. Our Trustees also bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the table and we also have a pool of dedicated volunteers.

What are the challenges that your group face?
The families we work with tend to lack aspiration in life and have low self-esteem; it is difficult to encourage them to participate in any training or development-based activities. It takes a very long time to build trust, and one has to be very patient and persistent with them. In general, there is lack of collaboration between various agencies for more effective responses to family problems. In our group, it is also increasingly difficult to sustain qualified and experienced volunteers.

Any message to people who will be reading your interview…
IT COULD HAPPEN TO ANYBODY. DON’T JUDGE….LISTEN!

If you wish to know more about the project or get in touch with Rhona , please contact Rhona Armitage (e: cooriekiminca@tiscali.co.uk or m:07947897893)