Historia

Did you know that our Community Hall welcomes more than 25 different community groups and over 800 local people, every week?

We’re especially proud that our Hall is the home of North End Food Pantry. It was the first ‘Your Local Pantry’ to open in Portsmouth. Today it remains the largest in the city. Open for four days a week, the food and household essentials that we distribute reaches around 400 local people every week!

It's also a much-needed community space for hundreds of other local adults and children.

For example, we host Narcotics Anonymous and Gamblers Anonymous, Slimming World and mental health support groups; various activities including Chinese dance and Ukrainian Art classes; and several clubs for older people and children, including an over-50s friendship group, a men's Cook & Chat group, a preschool stay and play group, Connors Toy Library and Brownies!

Built in 1903, our hall is now in much need of some serious work and refurbishment. We need to urgently raise around £70,000 to create storage, update the facilities and make it even more useful for the community.

It’s around 70 years since the Hall was last refurbished, and investing now will help keep this important community asset open for many decades to come. Funding vital enhancements that meet the evolving needs of our community will allow us to make the space more flexible and accessible, so we can welcome even more people in the future.

Will you be there for your community by making a donation today?

Your generosity will help us to keep on supporting and transforming the lives of local people for years to come:

• Empowering hundreds of Food Pantry members to beat the cost of living crisis! • Supporting dozens of vulnerable people facing addiction and other life challenges to stay sober and healthy! • Providing a welcoming space for hundreds of older people and children to find friendship and fulfilment!

Thank you, we are so grateful for your support

Every pound makes a difference and no donation is too small!

We also know that times are tough – so if you’re not in a position to donate, we completely understand. Please help us by sharing our appeal instead!

Meet North End Pantry member Denise:

"As a worker on a low income, I’ve found the cost of living increases really tough. The food pantry has been a real Godsend for me - especially in recent months when I’ve faced the additional costs of a house move and a delay in receiving benefits to top up my income.

If it wasn’t for the pantry, things would be really difficult for me and I’m not sure how I’d manage. I don’t like asking others for help so I find being a pantry member really empowering. The food I receive lasts me most of the week, and there’s lots of choice so I can always pick up the items I need most!"

Meet Med3 Music (featured in the photo above!)

Med3 Music is a Portsmouth based music group for people experiencing enduring mental health problems. They say:

"Following on from Covid Med3 Music were unsure of our future. Our previous meeting venue had decided not reopen and with so many venues shutting we were having difficulty finding a suitable location for us to meet. North End Baptist Church opened its doors to Med3 Music and welcomed us to join their community hub in the summer of 2021.

For Med3 Music North End Baptist Church offers more than a rehearsal venue as it has allowed our members to connect with the many groups that are located there, including North End Pantry, Slimming World, Copnor Coffee Club and the Community Kitchen. This has allowed us not only to share our project but support and encourage our members to join other groups. One of our newest members was a new member at North End Pantry and whilst chatting he mentioned how lonely he was,. It was great to be to invite him to visit Med3 Music, and now he is a regular member!"

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