About us
Islington Food Partnership is a broad coalition of local organisations and individuals working together to build a thriving local food system for Islington.
Islington Food Partnership is chaired by Manor Gardens Welfare Trust
Our strategic board
You can download our Terms of Reference for our strategic board. If you would be interested in being a part of either our Strategic Board or Coordinating Group, you can email us at hello@islingtonfoodpartnership.org.uk.
Laura Thomas-Hockey, Head of Partnerships and Development, Manor Gardens Welfare Trust
Chair
Julie Parish, Network Development Manager, Octopus Communities Network
Fran Bury, Assistant Director of Public Health, Islington Council
Sheri Lawal, Director, Choices
Hekate Papadaki, CEO, Manor Gardens Welfare Trust
Councillor Flora Williamson
Dr Christian Reynolds, Senior Lecturer, Centre for Food Policy, City University
Teena Phillips, Centre Manager, Mildmay Community Centre
Sarah Benioff, Director, Cripplegate Foundation and Islington Giving
David Norman, Bright Start Area Lead, Islington Council
Our coordinating group
You can download our Terms of Reference for our coordinating group. If you would be interested in being a part of either our Strategic Board or Coordinating Group, you can email us at hello@islingtonfoodpartnership.org.uk.
Laura Thomas-Hockey, Head of Partnerships and Development, Manor Gardens Welfare Trust
Chair
Amanuel Woldesus, Head of Margins Project, Union Chapel
Amanuel Woldesus is a resident of Islington as well as the Head of Margins Project, one of the charities in the Union Chapel supporting the homeless or people at risk of being homeless. Prior to joining Margins, Amanuel had had a stint of senior roles in the sector, including Head of Integration and Community Development at Migrants Resource Centre/Asylum Aid for over 3 years; a CEO at Regenerate RISE, a charity supporting the elderly, briefly in 2016; an Operations Director at the Upper Room, a homeless charity in west London, for over four years; and a senior marketing and communication project manager at Media Trust for over 4 years.
Rosie Apperley, Project Coordinator / Administrator, Octopus Community Network
Candice George, Islington Food Partnership Coordinator, Manor Gardens Welfare Trust
Candice has been the IFP coordinator since 2021. During the pandemic, she helped set up a wellbeing hotline as part of a volunteer-run branch of the National Food Service network. She since became a co-Director of NFS London and continues to be involved in community food events both during and outside of work. She is a passionate advocate of the cooperative movement and creating spaces for communities to connect and take action collectively
Michelle Webb, Environmental Health Manager, Islington Council
Fran Bury, Assistant Director / Consultant in Public Health, Islington Council
Flora Walker, Inclusive Design Officer, Islington Council
Sheri Lawal, Founder & Director Choices CiC
Fran Harrington-Edmans, Assistant Public Health Strategist, Islington Council
Fran works in the Healthy Environments, Healthy Aging and Long-Term Conditions Public Health team at Islington Council. She focuses on physical activity, healthy eating and the built environment. Fran has a psychology background and has previously designed digital interventions in the fields of sexual and mental health.
Ellie Costigan, Senior Communications and Content Officer, Islington Council
Our members include
Age UK Islington
Alexandra Wylie Tower Foundation
Arsenal in the Community
Awesome CIC
Bags of Taste
Bright Start Islington
Camden and Islington NHS Foundation Trust
Caterlink
Caxton House
Choices London CIC
City University
Claremont Project
Cripplegate
Elizabeth House
Fareshare
Feast With Us
First Love Foundation
Food For All UK
FoodCycle
Full Circle Bar Group
Go Dharmic
Groundwork
Hargrave Hall
Healthwatch Islington
Help On Your Doorstep
Highbury Roundhouse
Hilldrop Community Centre
Hive Foodbank
Hornsey Lane Estate Community Association
Impact Hub Kings Cross
Islington Giving
Islington Mutual Aid Groups
Islington People’s Rights
Islington Play Association
Islington Trussel Trust Foodbank
Kings Cross Church
KLH Sustainability
London Borough of Islington
Light Project Pro International
London Assembly
London MET University
London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine
Maha Devi Centre
Manor Gardens Welfare Trust
Museum of Homelessness
Muslim Welfare House
Nags Head Town Centre Group
National Food Service London
Newington Green Action Group
Octopus Communities
Pilion Trust
Shelter From The Storm
St Giles Trust
St Luke’s Community Centre
St Mary’s Hornsey Rise
St Stephens Church
Streets Kitchen
Stuart Low Trust
Sustain
The Arc Centre
The Felix Project
The Manna at St Stephen’s Church
Tonkotsu Restaurant
Union Chapel
Universal Church of the Kingdom of God
Wesley’s Chapel & Leysian Mission
Whittington Health NHS Trust
What we do for local residents
Provide information on community food services, including where to find emergency support
Provide opportunities to influence local food strategy and services
What we do for partnership organisations
Collaborate on funding bids and fundraising initiatives
Gather and share data and information on food across the Borough
Design and work together on projects and ideas
Share expertise and good practice
Work together to help shape and influence local and national policies
If you are an Islington resident looking to find community food services or support
Please ring the Manor Gardens Welfare Trust Assistance line on:
07538 562128
or email us
Lines are open Monday – Friday from 9am to 5pm.
Anything else? Get in touch!
In case you have any questions or want to join the partnership please don't hesitate to get in touch with us