15 March 2024. Welcoming the first signs of spring with a special edition of Food with Friends. In partnership with Personal Choice this week, we hosted a socially-engaging lunch with a talk on health and wellbeing facilitated by the Health Inequalities Lead for NHS Portsmouth University, Shipa Ahmed Khan.
Personal Choice is a project of Mustard Seed Ministries charity, developed nearly ten years ago to respond to the needs of the local community. It aims to help address the social and economic issues of disadvantaged people in Portsmouth particularly those living in the Charles Dickens ward where the project is based.
Our collaboration this month was motivated by the aim of expanding the reach of our community service.
As 47% of Personal Choice service users say they have some type of disability or health condition, highlights the need for additional support and the effect of socio-economic conditions on health.
The presentation by Shipa Ahmed Khan reflected on the wider determinants of health more deeply, explaining how social factors and one’s living environment may impact individual health.
Since its inception in 2022, Food with Friends has sought to address health inequalities, by demonstrating what businesses can do to boost publicly available health services, in addition to responding to the cost-of-living crisis.
Through our health-talk series combined with a social meal, we aim to make health-education more accessible, working in partnership with communities to improve the quality of public health.
We were very glad to join Personal Choice at their weekly lunch club, as its mission to “offer a holistic service with easily accessible advice, support and activities” and “inclusive culture encouraging people to reach out and bring people together” is closely aligned to what Food with Friends stands for.
Shipa’s presentation encouraged discussion around access to health, tackling loneliness and the importance of social activities for health and wellbeing.
Judging by the participants’ smiles, eating a hearty meal served by friendly staff and volunteers in a warm and inclusive environment seems to be a good place to start.
Thank you, Personal Choice for the inspiring collaboration. Personal Choice is open to drop in from 9am – 5pm every weekday, offering immediate practical, emotional or mental health advice. Visit the group’s programme on Hive Portsmouth for more information.
We look forward to seeing you at our next event!
