A social enterprise which has transformed the lives of hundreds of disadvantaged adults in Norwich is launching a crowdfunding campaign to lease a stall on Norwich market to serve tasty street food.
The Feed – the trading arm of LEAP – is hoping the stall would help disadvantaged local people learn new skills, find accommodation and move away from their lives of homelessness.
Last year LEAP worked with 173 adults, many of whom faced homelessness, suffered with mental health and battled with drug and alcohol addictions.
And 58 people have now secured employment, 28 have moved into their own independent accommodation and 105 have reported an increase in self-esteem and the skills they want to achieve in life.
This week, it has filmed the story of one of its clients, Rob Sampson, who this time last year was sleeping rough in the market, and since working with LEAP has found accommodation, trained with The Feed and, via this campaign, may soon help to run the market stall.
Mr Sampson said: 'The Feed and LEAP have helped me realise I can reach my goals, with determination and their support I am now living a life I want to and can't wait to see what 2017 brings for me.'
You can donate to the crowdfunding campaign from Friday, January 20, with more details set to be announced next week.
The campaign is also being promoted by The Feed's mascot dog and minor local celebrity, Albert the pug, who was featured on BBC 6 Music at Christmas and is friends with the likes of national broadcasters and journalists Mary Anne Hobbs and Katie Puckrik.
For more information about The Feed visit www.the-feed.co.uk
Founder's gratitude
Barry Allard, pictured, founder and director of The Feed, said: 'We are so grateful for the overwhelming support that local people have shown for The Feed and, because of this, we've been able to make a huge difference to the lives of our clients. Our street food stall will really put The Feed at the heart of the community – and our clients will have the opportunity to engage with the public more which will help develop their skills and confidence so everyone will be able to see the good work we are doing on a daily basis.
'The food will be influenced from all over the world and made using local ingredients where possible. We want this to be the sort of stall where we get to know our regulars by name, listen to their suggestions, take requests and really interact with them. Any amount that people can afford to donate will be really gratefully received and put to good use – even if it's just a couple of quid – or people can help us by finding us on social media and sharing this campaign with their friends and family.'
Mr Allard added: 'Thanks to Pen and Scissor Productions who gave up their time to film Rob and the Feed Team as well as Nick Applin, who has continuously supported us throughout this and so kindly got Albert the pug on board!'
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