A Moveable Feast (AMF) has four separate project strands, which target isolated Arabic and Bangladeshi speakers and families in the local area. The four strands are;

Eat and Meet: providing affordable and healthy halal food, cooking demonstrations, healthy eating advice and training in catering skills
Crèche and childcare training: culturally appropriate and language specific accredited childcare training for men and women and increased provision of childcare in the area
Food buying: improving local access to affordable and culturally appropriate halal food
Health sharing: drop-in, after-school and information sessions to sign-post to local health services and discussions on health-related issues.

AMF will also;

• Provide a 'gateway' to inter-generational and cross-cultural activities, Empower users through involvement in the planning of services to meet needs
• Improve mental and physical health through the provision of culturally appropriate nutrition, exercise and social events
• Have an economic impact through the provision of qualification-based training and skills development
• Develop into a social enterprise.

The project is a key component of the south Westminster SLMC pilot, working with partners including Sure Start South Westminster.

Geographical area
Victoria, Millbank, Churchill and St. George wards  in south Westminster

Time Frame
Project start date: April 2004.
Big Lottery funding finishes: April 2009

Results
A co-ordinator and two community development workers (one Sylheti speaker and one Arabic speaker) have been recruited, who are working with the community to assess needs and develop the project activities.

The project was formally launched in July 2004 and a family information day was held in September 2004 to raise awareness of the project. 250 local people attended the launch and many took part in a survey which identified some health issues and useful statistics such as which public services are used by community groups and what primary languages are spoken.

Cross River Partnership's role
Funder of the social enterprise element of AMF

Other project partners
Abbey Community Association
Pimlico Toy Library
Migrant Resource Centre
Voluntary Action Westminster
Westminster City Council
Westminster Primary Care Trust
Westminster Adult Education Service

Contact
Emma Wilson
AMF co-ordinator
020 7222 0303
emma.wilson@abbeycommunity.org