Last week, an SHP service hosted a visit from a celebrity duo, The Walking Dead star David Morrissey and cookbook author Melissa Hemsley, for an extra special lunch.

The pair visited one of our Camden hostels, and helped prepare a healthy lunch for the service’s residents, supported by award-winning documentary maker Melek Erdal and the hostel’s chef Oliver.

The event was held in conjunction with The Felix Project - an organisation whose missions aims to end food waste and food poverty. The charity does this by collecting excess food that can no longer be sold in supermarkets, but that remains fresh and nutritious,  delivering it to local community groups and charities like SHP all across the capital.

The celebs were able to cook up nine delicious vegetarian meals for the residents, using only ingredients which would otherwise have gone to waste.

Bill, a resident said, "I always think the food here is good, but this is something else. Who knew aubergine curry could be so nice?"

The day aimed to bring the two charities together to celebrate their shared goal to support some of London’s most vulnerable people by improving their lives, health and well-being. Currently 10 SHP services in total receive food from The Felix Project, aiding our work in supporting homeless Londoners.

Damien Conrad, The Felix Project Warehouse Co-ordinator commented "We are working to get our food out to those who need it the most, delivering food to over 100 services in London”

“Focused on the food delivery, we don’t always see how the produce is used, so it’s fantastic to see that our food makes a vital difference to other services, and the benefits it brings to the people SHP supports.”

The Camden hostel - which supports 25 people who are active substance users with a history of rough sleeping - is fully catered to support its residents in their recovery and ensure they look after their physical health during this process.

SHP also welcomed the charity Healthwatch Camden at the event, who are undertaking research into how food poverty affects the health and wellbeing of rough sleepers.

David Morrissey, a long-term supporter of The Felix Project, said "It’s great to see the unison of two charities working together like this. 

"I’m proud to be working with The Felix Project, especially when they are support valuable work like SHP’s. Ultimately what we have seen here today is two charities working together, bringing healthy food to those who need it."

Find out more about our supported accommodation services.