Mutual Aid: Where Everyone is Valued
The team behind the Pollokshields Community Food Point explain the work that they carry out in our area and the importance of solidarity and mutual aid.
Photo: Pollokshields Community Food Point team
By the Pollokshields Community Food Point team
“We try to do everything with a smile on our face, and never judge anyone who walks through the door. It’s not just about ‘here’s a bag of groceries’, it’s about asking ‘how are you today?’”
John is a volunteer at the Pollokshields Community Food Point, a project born from the efforts of G41 Glasgow Mutual Aid volunteers, who came together to support our diverse, tight-knit community at the start of the pandemic.
Over the past year, thanks to the help of local partners, donors, and around 60 volunteers, we have delivered over 11,000 personalised food parcels. Located at 423 Shields Road, the Food Point is open every Saturday, Sunday and Monday. It enables people from G41 (and those referred by partners) to pick up parcels of fresh produce, tinned items, oil, milk and hygiene products. Volunteer drivers deliver parcels to those who cannot leave the house.
Local organisations have been instrumental to our success. The Southside Housing Association partnered with us to organise a venue and help with welfare rights. We work with Pollokshields Burgh Hall and the Scouts, who offer us kitchen space to cook delicious meals as part of our fortnightly Hot Food programme. Community organisations like G42 Mutual Aid, East Pollokshields Quad, The Bowling Green and a rich network of groups have had our back – working together for the best outcome.
As with other groups within the wider Glasgow Mutual Aid network, the Food Point is organised by postcode. No two groups are the same. Each is made up of diverse people who understand their neighbourhood and work together to meet the needs of their community. Everyone is valued and anyone can volunteer in their own way – from helping with carrying boxes to regular shifts. It’s about mutual decision-making and mutual support.
One person collecting a parcel noted how they have made connections with people they would never have otherwise met. Another now helps an older woman with her food collection. One volunteer who also used the service, said that they help out simply to give back, adding: “During lockdown, I have found it great to have a purpose. Not to be sitting around at home. I can meet people and help. That’s really important to me.”
Our recent survey indicated that 94 percent of volunteers felt participating benefited their mental health and wellbeing, and 91 percent felt more empowered. We aim to ensure our volunteer demographic is close to the community and create opportunities for development. Our youngest volunteer is 17 and the oldest is 78. Collectively, we speak seven languages.
We hope to challenge beliefs about what emergency food provision can be. We aim to be as ‘horizontal’ as possible, meaning that everyone who provides or uses our services can help organise the Food Point. We try to be mindful of trauma and inequalities, and to create a friendly, low-stress and open space.
This shows in the feedback we receive. One person approached the Food Point after they had been bankrupted and suddenly lost everything. Reflecting on their first time using the service, they said: “I had no expectations whatsoever. It was just going in blind. But they were so accommodating, so welcoming. I like their spirit. And it gave me an uplift. There are people out there who show empathy.”
Rebecca, a volunteer, said: “There’s something incredibly dignified about a community donating their time and food into the Food Point and people being able to come along and get what they need, no questions asked”.
One year after opening our doors, the Pollokshields Community Food Point gained charitable status, providing access to more funding opportunities so we can continue supporting our community. The path forward is unclear. An increase in service hours, or a move to larger premises, is appealing. But unfortunately, this depends on funding, which is harder than ever to guarantee.
There’s no pleasure in the sustained high demand for emergency food or chronic economic struggles. We can, however, find joy in mutual support, relationships and knowing that our neighbourhood looks out for one another.
To support this project, visit their justgiving page.