Jo Edwards from Highbury firm Edwards Rensen Architects is swimming the distance of the channel to raise money for the local food bank at Elizabeth House in Highbury.

Elizabeth House is a thriving, multi-purpose, community centre. We (Jo Edwards and Adrie Rensen) know Elizabeth House as a great community centre where our kids have gone to holiday clubs and I (Jo) rehearse with my choir, Finsbury Park Singers.

Elizabeth House is run by a resident-led charity (Highbury Vale Blackstock Trust) who aim to improve local residents’ quality of life - connecting people and helping our most vulnerable residents.

The pandemic has had a substantial impact on our community. In March 2020, Elizabeth House re-purposed itself into a Food Hub and have provided food and welfare support to over 700 vulnerable local people in Highbury. With grant funding, food donations and support from over 100 volunteers, Elizabeth House has distributed over 3,500 food parcels, including more than 6,000 cooked meals, over the past 12 months.

Many local residents continue to experience food insecurity and the Food Hub supports an average of 170 local residents (about 70 households) each week.

We would love to have your support – you can donate here (preferably a multiple of £22) – or you can volunteer at Elizabeth House.