A soup kitchen in Peckham which serves as a “lifeline” for its community is in urgent need of a new home after being served notice to leave its current site.
Peckham Soup Kitchen, which serves 350 meals each week, has operated from a temporary site in the Aylesham Centre, at the heart of Rye Lane, for the past year, courtesy of Berkeley Homes.
But now ,having been given notice to leave by January 24, the group is struggling to find an affordable space to continue its work.
Co-founder Dean Foster, 43, said: “We always knew this space was temporary.
“We thought the council could help us find something permanent while we were here, but nothing came up.”
Volunteers at Peckham Soup Kitchen in Rye Lane’s Aylesham Centre (Picture: Peckham Soup Kitchen)
While Mr Foster and his team trawl through possible locations, Southwark council has offered little help, claiming there are no “suitable properties available” around Rye Lane for the group.
Cllr John Batteson, cabinet member for climate emergency, jobs and business, said: “We are aware that Peckham Soup Kitchen, a well-loved community organisation, is looking for new premises. We are continuing to work with organisations in Peckham to meet the needs of our most vulnerable residents, and we wish Peckham Soup Kitchen every success in finding a suitable premises.”
Mr Foster said he was “disgusted” by the council’s response.
He said: “Council services constantly refer people to us for support. We never turn them away, but there is no help for us.”
According to government figures, 40 per cent of children in Peckham are living in poverty, while a third of families cannot afford basic essentials.
Peckham MP Miatta Fahnbulleh said: “Peckham Soup Kitchen is a lifeline for our community.
“As Peckham feels the cost-of-living crisis acutely over the winter months, their work has never been more vital.
“I urge everyone to join me in supporting their incredible work by donating.”
Peckham MP Miatta Fahnbulleh during a recent visit to Peckham Soup Kitchen (Picture: Peckham Soup Kitchen)
Since the service was set up in 2022, Mr Foster said the demographic of those seeking support has changed.
He said: “At first we were feeding the homeless and drug users. Now we’re seeing people coming in suits.”
But Peckham Soup Kitchen does far more than feed the needy.
The service distributes about 400 food parcels, groceries and clothing to residents each week, hosts youth activities, football camps, boxing and fitness sessions and a community allotment programme which teaches people to grow and harvest their own food.
Peckham Soup Kitchen’s football camp (Picture: Peckham Soup Kitchen)
Mr Foster, who grew up in Peckham, said: “The biggest problem is social mobility.
“When I was growing up people were working nine to fives. Now it’s a 15 to 17-hour shift.
“Kids are being raised by their older siblings. We do summer clubs because when kids are not at school they’re not eating.”
A loss of community has also affected young people in Peckham, Mr Foster says.
He said: “I grew up playing football on other estates. My neighbours would slap my wrist if I did anything wrong.
“Community changes a lot, the village raises you. There’s no community anymore, it feels lost.”
To revive a sense of belonging, Peckham Soup Kitchen serves up wholesome, hot food like jollof rice, rice and peas, shepherd’s pie and curries.
The organisation also partners with White Men Can’t Jerk, the Caribbean-inspired street food business, for its food deliveries.
Mr Foster said a lack of community is affecting Peckham’s young people (Picture: Peckham Soup Kitchen)
Mr Foster said: “When I was younger I had two friends who used a foodbank. They said they wanted to erase the memory.
“My priority is making sure people love and respect the service, to remember it well.”
Failing to find a new home soon, Mr Foster said he may have to set up pop-up kitchens from storage units, or merge with another organisation.
But he said: “I’m not going to give up now. We need people to help us so we can help them.”
To support Peckham Soup Kitchen, visit the Change.org petition here: https://www.change.org/p/assist-peckham-soup-kitchen-to-secure-a-new-location
Pictured top: Peckham MP Miatta Fahnbulleh with Dean Foster at Peckham Soup Kitchen (Picture: Peckham Soup Kitchen)