A service which provides help and support to residents across Barking and Dagenham is set to be expanded.

The community food clubs – a partnership between the council and voluntary sector partners, provides discounted food to local residents. Club members pay £3.50 a visit which allows them to access up to £20 worth of shopping. In addition, they are able to get help, advice and support with finance, health, training and skills to get into work.

So far, a total of 1,139 residents have seen benefits and an improvement in their lives since joining one of five community food banks in the borough.

The first Food Club launched at William Bellamy in October 2018. Since then, the Food Club offer has expanded to five sites across the borough with a sixth due to open this month.

Councillor Sade Bright, Cabinet Member for Employment, Skills and Aspiration said: “This is an excellent example of joint work with our partners to help our residents to help themselves. Those using the club do not have to travel far from their home to meet others and, most importantly, get help and advice on a range of issues. 

“In growing the borough, we are determined that no one is left behind. I am grateful to the staff, volunteers, community health champions and our partners who have worked so hard to make this scheme a success.”

The community food clubs have helped residents to reduce their overall debts by £78,017 and saved a total of £170,869.50.

To find out more, residents can head to www.lbbd.gov.uk/community-food-clubs