We are now into a new year but currently the challenges brought by the Coronavirus still remain. Like everyone we are hopeful that over the next few months we will start to see the impact of the vaccine and that some of the normalities of life will be able to return; but despite the uncertainties that lie ahead our mission at Signpost International will continue.
It has been many years in the making but 2021 will see the start of a new chapter in the Signpost story as we remodel our existing building and launch the Roundhouse. Back in April 2019, we shared with you our ambition to transform our offices and create a Centre for Global Learning. Thanks to the support of you, our Global Neighbours, we were able to take strides towards this new venture. Over the course of time our vision has developed and manifested into the Roundhouse, which will be the new name of our building. The Roundhouse will have three distinct but connected parts: the Centre for Global Learning, Community Kitchen, and flexible office space. You can find out more about the Roundhouse by clicking the link, https://www.signpost-international.org/our-work/where-we-work/the-signpost-centre-for-global-learning/
The first part of the Roundhouse to open will be the Community Kitchen; a collaborative project with other local charities which will see surplus food from supermarkets and restaurants used to produce healthy and nutritionally-balanced meals. These meals will then be distributed to foodbanks and community larders across the city and given to those in need. We hope this new project and partnership with food provision charities will play a vital part in tackling the issue of hunger that exists locally. The project will also challenge food waste in the city as it is estimated 27,000 tonnes of food goes to waste in Dundee every year. The Community Kitchen will open in the early months of 2021 thanks to generous funding from local and national donors.
Locally we have been supported by Dundee Foodbank and the Dundee Partnership Community Regeneration Fund. As stated the Community Kitchen will work in partnership with local food provision charities, one of them being Dundee Foodbank who are supporting the project as they continue to tackle the issue of hunger in Dundee. The support we are receiving from the Dundee Partnership Community Regeneration Fund is allowing us to fund the refurbishment of our existing kitchen in order that it is fit for purpose.
Support nationally has come from the National Lottery and Bank of Scotland Foundation. We were awarded a National Lottery Award from the National Lottery Community Fund and received a grant from the Bank of Scotland Foundation’s Reach Grants Programme. The funding from both organisations will cover the running costs of the project and is allowing us to employ a chef/project coordinator who will turn the surplus food into freshly prepared meals.
We are extremely grateful to all the organisations above who are supporting the Community Kitchen, thanks to their support we will be able to start challenging hunger and food waste in Dundee.
We will continue to update you on the progress at the Roundhouse.
