About us

SWAN is a UK-registered charity (1188649) committed to providing life’s essentials—food, water, shelter, and empowerment opportunities—to vulnerable communities. Our work extends from South London to five international countries, focusing on regular, sustained support while responding to emergency crises wherever needed.

Partners, supporters & collaborators

Who are we?

Southern Women’s Aid Network (SWAN) began as a simple idea shared between four friends who wanted to make a difference. Under the leadership and vision of Saiqa Ali BEM FRSA, this idea grew into a grassroots effort that started in 2012 as a food bank at South London Islamic Centre. Over 12 years, SWAN has transformed into a global charity, recognized for its consistent and impactful work in diverse communities.
Locally, SWAN operates regular soup kitchens in South London and continues to run community-focused projects that provide food and support to those in need. Internationally, SWAN delivers consistent aid in five countries, focusing on food distribution, clean water initiatives, shelter, and empowerment projects that aim to create long-term, sustainable change.

Dedicated to emergency crisis response

SWAN also ensures help affected areas swiftly when disaster strikes. From natural disasters to humanitarian crises, SWAN remains on the front lines, providing immediate relief and ongoing support to rebuild lives.

Founded by women and led by a vision of compassion and empowerment, SWAN continues to expand its reach, proving that a small idea can grow into a powerful force for change across the world.

Our Purpose

Our purpose is to serve as a lifeline for those who are struggling with poverty and hardship, and to provide them with the tools and resources they need to thrive. By providing food support and essential aid to those in need, we aim to empower individuals and communities to break the cycle of poverty and build a brighter future.

Our work is led and delivered by volunteers and we currently have over 160 volunteers in South London who support our work in various capacities. We strongly believe in community engagement and our work is supported by contributions and donations from the local community.

Our Mission and Values

Our vision is a world where every individual has access to nutritious food and essential aid, regardless of their circumstances, so that they can live a healthy and dignified life.

Our mission is to alleviate hunger, poverty and hardship by providing essential food support and aid to those in need, both in London and abroad. We work to ensure that every individual has access to nutritious food, clean water, healthcare and education, and that they are empowered to build a better future for themselves and their families.

Our core values

Compassion

We believe in the inherent dignity of every individual. Our actions are guided by empathy, understanding, and a deep sense of compassion for those experiencing hardship.

Integrity

We operate with the highest level of integrity, transparency, and accountability. We are committed to responsible stewardship of resources and maintaining the trust of our donors, partners, and the communities we serve.

Inclusivity

We recognise and celebrate the diversity of the communities we assist. We are committed to providing aid without discrimination based on race, religion, gender, age, or any other factor. Inclusivity is at the heart of our humanitarian efforts.

About the SWAN team

Our Board consists of Saiqa Ali (chair), Saman Jung, Nasreen Khawaja, Naheed Nizam, Amber Siddiqui and Smaira Wahid.

7

Dedicated Staff Members

200+

Volunteers

Serving our community

SWAN has a proud history of supporting those in need through regular soup kitchens and a dedicated food bank. When the COVID-19 restrictions in March 2020 led to widespread uncertainty and a sharp rise in food poverty, we stepped up to provide critical assistance. We distributed hundreds of food packs to vulnerable families and served thousands of meals, both at our weekly soup kitchens and through our homeless outreach programs across London. We’re excited to announce that our food bank is evolving into the SWAN Community Pantry, a new initiative designed to make it easier for anyone in our community facing food poverty to access support.

Community Pantry

Open every Tuesday from 10:30 AM to 12:00 PM, the pantry offers a dignified, affordable, and empowering way to obtain groceries. For just £3 per visit, members can choose at least 15 items from a selection of fresh, frozen, and long-life foods—providing incredible value and flexibility. You can learn more about this here.

From providing essential supplies to refugees to supporting women and children fleeing domestic violence, SWAN continues to serve the community with compassion and dedication. Whether through a warm meal, practical essentials, or the Community Pantry, we are here to build resilience and ensure no one faces food poverty alone.

How your money is spent

Transparency is important to you and to us. We do everything we can to reduce the costs of delivering our projects so that 100% of your donation will benefit communities directly. Our admin costs are covered by Gift Aid, at no additional cost to you.

Annual Report 2022-2023

Working around the world

SWAN is committed to supporting those in need not only in the UK but also across the globe. Through consistent projects and emergency relief efforts, we provide critical aid to communities affected by conflict, natural disasters, and poverty. Collaborating with local organizations and relief agencies, our team ensures timely delivery of food, water, shelter, and other essentials.

In disaster-stricken regions, we focus on both immediate relief and sustainable development to help communities rebuild and thrive. Our regular work spans across Pakistan, Afghanistan, Palestine, the Ivory Coast and Bangladesh reaching thousands of vulnerable families.

We have responded to emergency crisis and continue to. We work in Palestine and have built a hospital there and continue our relief efforts there and Lebanon. You can learn more about our long term and short term projects internationally here. By addressing both urgent and long-term needs, SWAN remains dedicated to creating meaningful, lasting change for communities worldwide.

Ways to Donate to SWAN

Bank Transfer
Account name:Southern Women's Aid Network (SWAN)
Sort Code:80-22-60
Account Number:19415368

PayPal:swanfoodbank@gmail.com

Online Donation:Donate Here

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