This blog post is the second instalment of our Partnership Spotlight series. After recently highlighting our close work with culture magazine LeftLion, we hope to share information and updates about our achievements with Metropolitan Thames Valley Housing (MTVH) – one of Himmah's most innovative and long-standing relationships!
MTVH is a housing association with a long history of social impact across the UK. Built on a legacy of working with post-war, inner-city communities to provide homes, care and support services, today it offers nearly 38,000 homes, ensuring residents can thrive by delivering training opportunities, events and activities.
Foodprint on Wheels
Foodprint on Wheels is where our work began – it's a mobile social supermarket offering affordable groceries to inner-city communities every week. Delivered in partnership with MTVH, their help covering running costs, engaging residents and maintaining a strong community feel are fundamental drivers of this innovative project. Each week, more than 30 residents save money on their food shop and have access to healthy foods right on their doorstep.
Volunteering
Building on this solid starting point, Himmah offers volunteering opportunities to our MTVH colleagues based across the region. More than 25 staff members have got stuck in across Himmah's various projects, mainly helping with processing donations, preparing food for distribution, and delivering a friendly service. Together they've contributed a whopping 140 hours to our work, making a real difference here in Nottingham.
Community Growing
More recently, Himmah has successfully secured funding to deliver another exciting collaboration with MTVH! Utilising disused green spaces on their Brewsters estate in St Ann's, Himmah's gardener Katie is working closely with MTVH's engagement and site management teams, to collaborate with residents, share skills and encourage healthier lifestyles through outdoor activities.
MTVH and Himmah's close work together epitomises what can be achieved with strong relationships and ambitious partnerships. We're thrilled to have such close ties with an organisation that shares our values and continues taking action together to support local communities facing inequality
