Providing Hope to the Communities in the UK

SWAN is committed to addressing food insecurity and supporting communities in the UK. Our focus on providing weekly pantries and soup kitchens in South London stems from a dedication to alleviating local hunger. In addition to catering to the immediate needs of the community, SWAN extends its reach to refugees, recognising the importance of offering assistance beyond borders.

Our current projects include our weekly Food Bank, two weekly Soup Kitchens, weekly Community Care Clinic, monthly Tea and Talk and Refugee Art Club.

Our mission ones beyond mere sustenance - we aim to empower individuals through education and guidance. SWAN provides advice to the community, fostering a sense of resilience and self sufficiency as well as projects such as our monthly art club for refugee children to provide a safe space for them to be creative and meet others.

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Soup Kitchens

Soup kitchens play a pivotal role in addressing the pressing issue of food poverty. In a world where access to nourishing meals should be a basic human right, these establishments act as beacons of hope and support for individuals and families facing hunger.

Our Soup Kitchens

Thornton Heath

Monday 6:30 PM

Gilet Mosque, Gillette Road, CR7 8SN

Croydon

Wednesday 7:30 PM

Croydon Mosque, 525 London Road, CR7 6AR

Community Service Drop In

We're pleased to launch a new Community Support Drop In service - offering a safe space and support for anyone in need, right here in our local community. How we help:

Signposting to local services and resources
Emergency support for those facing urgent challenges
A confidential, welcoming space for anyone seeking support

No need to book - just drop in. Everyone is welcome. Every Friday 10am - 12pm. Tate Library, 63 Streatham High Rd, London SW16 1PN.

Community Pantry

We’re excited to announce that the SWAN Foodbank is evolving into a Community Pantry, making it even easier for anyone in our community struggling with food poverty to access the support they need. The Community Pantry will run every Tuesday, from 10:30 AM to 12:00 PM, offering a dignified, affordable, and empowering way to access essential groceries.

Here's how it works:

Membership costs just £3 per visit.
In return, you'll be able to select at least 15 items of your choice from a wide variety of groceries, including fresh, frozen, refridgerated, and long-life foods.
The value of these items far exceeds the membership cost, helping stretch your budget further.

Designed to feel like a market

The pantry gives you the freedom to choose the items that suit your needs and preferences. Whether you need a little extra help for a week or ongoing monthly support, the SWAN Community Pantry is here for you. Together, we’re building a stronger, more resilient community where no one has to face food poverty alone.

For more information or to become a member, visit us at the SWAN Pantry every Tuesday or get in touch via emailinfo@swanlondon.org,or to donate to help us provide this vital service,please donate now.

Our Pantries

Streatham

Tuesdays, 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM

South London Islamic Centre

Help from others

We have teamed up with a number of organisations and receive weekly food donations from Dons Charity, JR Butchers, and Gails Bakery, and Supermarkets such as Lidl’s, Waitrose, M&S, Aldi, and Tesco. We also receive regular donations from our local community, Orchard Primary School and Balham Mosque.

The help from all of these organisations and our dedicated volunteers is not only an example of the local community’s empathy and hard work to erase food poverty but we also believe is a testament to the trust they have in SWAN to be the means of relief for food poverty in South London.

Surplus food

Not only do we work to provide food packs once a week in South London alongside three active soup kitchens to give warm meals out to those that need it, we ensure no food goes to waste and that we can help as many people as possible. Our surplus food is collected every Thursday to be taken to St Martins Community Centre for their food bank. These partnerships ensure as many mouths are fed as possible.

Weekly Playground

Tea and Talk Sessions

Art Classes

Social activities

We at SWAN, aim to help our community not only through tackling food poverty but creating a community and a safe space for all ages through art classes and play groups for children but also tea and talk sessions for those older to meet others in similar situations and form a sense of community to combat loneliness and other emotional problems. We believe in helping people practically and emotionally.

Period poverty in the UK

For many women and girls around the world, a period is not just a biological cycle but a monthly struggle for dignity and wellbeing. At SWAN, we are proud to stand alongside GRT’s CODE RED campaign, a movement that shines a light on the reality of period poverty both in the UK and internationally. CODE RED is not simply a campaign name. It is a call to attention, a signal that too many women and girls are still forced to choose between essential items like food and menstrual products. It reminds us that this is not a niche issue but a public health and human rights concern affecting millions.

CODE RED is a reminder that this issue affects our communities close to home as much as it does those abroad. Ending period poverty requires compassion, education, and collective action. By speaking up, donating, and supporting initiatives like CODE RED, we can ensure that no one is left behind.

At SWAN, our mission has always been to empower women and promote wellbeing. By supporting CODE RED, you help us give women and girls the tools, knowledge, and dignity they deserve. Together we can create a future where no one has to choose between food and a pad, and where every person who menstruates is able to do so with safety, confidence, and pride.

SWAN500

The SWAN500 project, fueled by the weekly contributions of 500 generous donors at £1 each, has made a significant impact. From addressing immediate needs like fixing ceilings, replacing carpets, and providing essential appliances, to aiding the homeless and alleviating debt, the support rendered has been invaluable. With a dedicated fund of £500 per case, SWAN ensures a targeted approach to emergency relief, covering bills, debts, or other critical needs. This initiative bridges gaps in existing charity missions, reaching those who might otherwise be overlooked. In the past year, SWAN500 has successfully assisted 39 families through general charity donations and 17 families through zakat funds, totaling 56 families supported. This achievement, averaging more than one family per week, is a testament to the impactful collaboration between SWAN and its dedicated supporters.

Together we can make a difference!

Help those in need by donating today and make a meaningful difference in someone's life.

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