Our Story
Welcome to Alfie's Arc, a family-run Community Interest Company based in Waterlooville, Hampshire, UK. Our mission is simple yet powerful - to support our community through food parcels, mental health assistance, and various community-based initiatives.
Alfie's Arc was inspired by the life of Alfie Cowley (Lianne's son), born on May 31, 2008, who bravely battled rare brain cancer from the age of 7 and left an indelible mark on all who knew him. Because of his charitable nature we decided to honour his memory through our work.
Having been low income ourselves in the past we have had to collect food parcels and this gave us an idea for providing a similar service but with fresh food and in a different way.
Our founder Lianne took it upon herself to register with the local Environmental Health Officer who passed her with a 5* food Hygiene rating that gave her the ability to start collecting fresh foods and storing them in her home. We also have staff who are level 3 intermediate Food Hygiene trained which means that they are certified to store, handle and prepare the food with help from volunteers.
After getting qualified we then signed up to Fareshare and Neighbourly who provided us with collection slots from stores that include: Tesco, Asda, Waitrose, M&S, Aldi, Lidl, Bookers and Sainsburys. Every single day Alfie's Arc go along to the individual stores, collect the food, take it back to their approved premises and sort and distribute it from there. We are able to provide food parcels to anyone and everyone for a small donation. The parcels are just a small part of what we do with the food as every single evening we go out and deliver 80% of the food to the homeless, assisted living, hostels and rough sleepers in Portsmouth and Havant. This is a huge 'feel good factor' to what we do and with funding we will be able to provide more food items to more and more people. WE could not do this without our volunteers who help tirelessly everyday so THANKYOU!!!
If you know of an organisation or Charity that may be able to benefit from our help then please don't hesitate to contact us here
If you believe that you could spare some time then please let us know by using the contact form. We have many different jobs that need doing on a daily basis.
If you would like to make a donation please click HERE to go to our contact us page where you can find the details for a bank transfer
Community Support
At Alfie's Arc, we believe in the power of community support and acts of kindness to make a positive impact. Our food parcel service provides essential groceries to those in need without the requirement of a referral, helping combat food waste and ensuring that no one in our community goes hungry. In the first 20 weeks of running, we have saved 12 tonnes of food. This is the size of a tyrannosaurus Rex and a White Rhino. Breaking the Hutchins car in the process leading to the urgent need to get a van earlier than expected.
In addition, our One Step Project offers tailored mental health support through counselling, support groups, and advice. We aim to provide a safe space for individuals to seek help and guidance in their mental health journey. We hope to gain our own premises in which we can have a base to work out of and help us provide a better service to everyone. On the left are our stats in the first 3 months from Just Fareshare.......
Food waste
This is a huge concern not just in the Uk but globally. In the UK every year we waste over 9.5 million tonnes of waste even though 8.4 million people are in food poverty. We are trying to do our bit to redistribute some of that food to as many people as possible but need your help to do so. From a small monetary donation to Donating towards a food parcel for yourself our someone else, it all helps us help the world by reducing Food Waste. We provide an extra service called 'Helping Hampers' where you can donate the price of a food parcel that is to be given to an individual or family who may be struggling financially has gone above and beyond for someone else or with whom you think deserves it for some reason. Please get in touch HERE and let us know or to make a donation to our worthy cause.
Wondering how you can support our mission at Alfie's Arc? There are various ways to get involved and make a difference in our community. You can volunteer your time, donate to our cause, or participate in our community events and initiatives.
Alfie's Arc offers a range of volunteer opportunities for individuals looking to make a positive impact in the community. Whether you're interested in assisting with food parcels, mental health support, or community events, there's a place for you in our team.
Whether you have a few hours to spare or want to engage in meaningful community work, there is a place for everyone at Alfie's Arc. Join us in spreading kindness and making a lasting impact!
Join us at Alfie's Arc for various community events that bring people together in the spirit of kindness and support. From charity fundraisers to awareness campaigns, there are plenty of opportunities to engage with our mission and connect with like-minded individuals.
Join Us
Are you ready to support our cause and make a difference in the community? Don't miss out on the opportunity to get involved with Alfie's Arc!