New pop-up food shop aims to help break cycle of homelessness

A new pop-up food shop aims to plug a gap in existing services and break the cycle of homelessness by supporting people to live independently.

Based in Hartcliffe, the community project launched by Caring in Bristol is born out of recognition that those who have recently been homeless or are precariously housed are often unable to afford meals or access basic support in a system focused on crisis management.

Following on from the success of the charity’s Cheers Drive campaign, launched during the pandemic, Bristol Goods will stock fresh fruit, vegetables, sweet treats and oven-ready meals made by some of the city’s best chefs.

Aimed at people who are at risk of homelessness or recently rehoused, the shop will work on a referral system from a Caring in Bristol partner organisation. Each shopper will pay a weekly £3.50 membership, which will enable them to fill up their shopping basket each week.

Bristol Goods follows on from the successful Cheers Drive project launched during the pandemic – photo by James Koch

“Homelessness doesn’t just exist in Bristol’s city centre,” explains Steven Dodds, Caring in Bristol’s head of partnerships and impact.

“We know it begins in our communities, where precariously housed people don’t always get the type of support they need.

“Our research underlined the significant role food can play – beyond just feeding people – and we hope Bristol Goods will be a highly supportive resource for the people who use it.”

Shoppers at Bristol Goods will also be able to access support services such as budget management, tenancy support and advocacy, mental health and wellbeing guidance and cooking lessons.

The initiative was inspired by research, undertaken in partnership with Caring in Bristol, evaluating food support services for those experiencing homelessness in the city. Findings highlighted that services were concentrated on vital crisis support, leaving a gap in provision for others vulnerable to homelessness.

Bristol Goods aims to help break the cycle of homelessness by providing support for people to live independently – photo courtesy of Caring in Bristol

Bristol Goods project manager Ben Copeland says: “When you reach crisis point and it leads to street homelessness, the experience and pressure doesn’t end when you are provided with shelter.

“Supporting people to maintain a tenancy and make their new space a home is a vital service that we hope will stop people falling back into cyclical homelessness.

“That’s where Bristol Goods plays a key role by supporting people newly housed to live fulfilled lives independently, through fresh food, life skills and support services, minimising the potential for someone to return to street homelessness due to a lack of support system.”

Tom Renhard, Bristol City Council’s cabinet member for housing, adds: “It has long been recognised that food and fuel poverty are a key factor in preventing people settling into new tenancies as welfare benefits do not often cover basic living costs.

“Following the great work of Cheers Drive in feeding people accommodated during Everyone In, Bristol Goods feels like a natural progression in providing food and support to help people settle into their accommodation, reduce the isolation of moving into a new tenancy and make their tenancy sustainable.”

The Bristol Goods project has been funded by Bristol City Council, the John James Foundation, and Bristol Breakfast Rotary Club.

The pop-up food shop will offer a range of fresh produce and oven-ready meals made by top Bristol chefs – photo courtesy of Caring in Bristol

Main photo courtesy of Caring in Bristol

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