STORIES FROM THE FRONT LINE OUR SOCIAL ROI (SOCIAL RETURN ON INVESTMENT)

YMCA Downslink is a charity which has been working with young people across Sussex and Surrey for more than 100 years. They work to tackle the causes of youth homelessness and give young people in crisis the opportunity to create a brighter future, supporting more than 10,000 young people with services such as supported accommodation, drop-in activities and signposting services.

Food plays an important role in their work, providing a safe space for people to talk at weekly meals and providing food to prepare for those living in a supported space.

Last year we provided enough food for 74,383 meals, helping to stock food pantries and cater for group meals. We also provided 48 hours of support from our team with cookery workshops, teaching young people how to prepare nutritious and low-cost meals.

FARESHARE SUSSEX & SURREY ARE REACHING THE MOST VULNERABLE PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY:

Research conducted by Interreg 2 Seas Mers Zeeen for the Flavour project shows that for every £1 put into FareShare Sussex & Surrey, the social value is worth £10.87. What we mean by a social return on investment is not reflected in conventional financial accounts. Instead, we assign a hypothetical monetary value to the social, human and environmental benefits.

For instance, by passing on food surplus to low income people, we help cut their household expenditure. This leads to improvements in health and wellbeing, and in the long run saves on health and social care costs. Another aspect of our work is creating jobs and providing skills training to help people into work. Furthermore, the charities, community groups and community kitchens that we supply reduce social isolation and provide a support structure while volunteers benefit from a sense of making a contribution to society.

FOR EVERY £1 PUT INTO FARESHARE SUSSEX & SURREY THE SOCIAL VALUE IS WORTH £10.87

FAMILIES ON LOW OR NO INCOME OR LONG TERM UNEMPLOYED

HOMELESS PEOPLE AND ROUGH SLEEPERS

ISOLATED ELDERLY PEOPLE

PEOPLE WITH DRUG OR ALCOHOL ADDICTION

PEOPLE AFFECTED BY DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

CHILDREN UNDER 18

EX-OFFENDERS

LONE PARENTS

PEOPLE WITH PHYSICAL DISABILITIES

LGBTQIA+ COMMUNITY

REFUGEES AND PEOPLE FROM ETHNIC MINORITY GROUPS

PEOPLE WITH MENTAL HEALTH PROBLEMS

Environmentally, we enable better management of waste and more efficient use of resources, preventing food waste going to landfill and reducing the community’s carbon footprint. Through partnering with food suppliers, municipalities and social enterprises, we help build sustainable cities and communities. And by generating greater recognition and awareness of food distribution and processing centres, we can increase food donations and create change at policy level.

“I WASN’T A VERY CONFIDENT COOK. AFTER ATTENDING SOME COOKING SESSIONS WITH FARESHARE SUSSEX & SURREY, I LEARNED A FEW EASY DISHES THAT I CAN NOW PREPARE WITHOUT SPENDING MUCH MONEY. I KNOW I CAN USE WHATEVER VEG AND TINS I CAN GET FROM THE YAC AND PREPARE SOMETHING HEALTHY.”