Every home-cooked meal we share is an opportunity to bring neighbours together, spark new friendships and build a kinder, more connected community.

At Food Friends, our volunteers cook an extra portion of their meal and share it with someone living nearby who would benefit from delicious food, company and conversation.

There's something really special about a familiar face, a home-cooked meal made with love and care, and the joy of having someone to look forward to seeing each week. Over time, these little moments of kindness and conversation can blossom into wonderful friendships, bringing warmth, companionship and a sense of belonging to both people. Together, we're building a caring community where everyone feels valued, visible and supported.

Since Food Friends began, hundreds of wonderful volunteers have delivered over 20,000 home-cooked meals, bringing people together with every delicious bite.

Why we are asking for your help

At a time when communities are feeling increasingly disconnected, loneliness is taking a toll on people’s health and wellbeing. Food Friends offers a simple, innovative way to bring people together, building lasting connections through home-cooked food and friendship.

But it is a difficult time for small charities like ours. Funding is becoming harder to secure, while demand for the companionship and community support we offer continues to grow.

For the first time, we’re asking our wonderful community to help us raise £7,000 by 31 January 2027. We feel a little nervous about asking, but we’ve seen the kindness and generosity that make Food Friends possible, and we hope you’ll help us keep those friendships growing in the year ahead.

Our volunteers give their time and home-cooked meals with so much care. Your donation will support the small team behind them - bringing people together, making safe matches and providing the ongoing support that helps food friendships flourish.

Your kindness can go even further

The Hardy Family Foundation has generously pledged £3,000 in match funding, helping our £7,000 community fundraising target become £10,000 of support for Food Friends.

Will you be part of it?

Every donation, whatever the amount, will help us continue bringing people together through food and friendship in 2027.

If it’s not the right time for you to donate, sharing this page with friends, family or colleagues is another lovely way to help.

Thank you to everyone who cooks, shares, donates, spreads the word or simply cheers us on. You are part of what makes Food Friends possible.

Together, we can keep the meals coming and the friendships growing.