Following an open application process, everyone at Octopus had the chance to vote on which charity they wanted to support for the next three years. We’re delighted to announce that Refettorio Felix were chosen to be our new overlooked communities focused charity partner.
What do Refettorio Felix do?
Refettorio Felix at St Cuthbert’s Centre support a community of homeless, older and socially isolated guests experiencing multiple crises and marginalisations through a free 3-course restaurant quality lunch created from surplus food. They also offer multiple wraparound support services, including housing advice, mental health therapies, and specialist targeted support, all of which contribute to restoring and preserving the dignity of their guests, which is at the heart of their work and informs their service provision.
Why are we excited to work with them?
At Octopus, we are dedicated to building authentic partnerships with our charity partners. Our aim is to foster collaborations that act as a catalyst for positive change, combining our resources to create meaningful impact within our local community. We want to use our funding, skills and time to enhance Refettorio Felix’s support and influence within the communities they serve.
With food insecurity rising to astonishing rates across the UK and with the cost-of-living crisis driving more people to need the support of foodbanks, Refettorio Felix has seen an exponential increase in the need for their services. Refettorio Felix are rising to the current challenge and are delivering programmes that are designed to provide both essential and unique services to ensure all their guests can feel physically, emotionally and practically supported.
We are so excited to harness the enthusiasm of Octopus people, over the next 3 years we’ll be rolling up our sleeves and working hand-in-hand with Refettorio Felix in creating a more equal and more caring society where everyone can feel supported and empowered to live their lives to the fullest.
A few words from Nik and Louise at Refettorio Felix…
“We are so thrilled to have this charity partnership with Octopus! It is amazing for us to have such tailored and expert support to hand. Restoring the respect and dignity of each individual guest is integral to our work. The skill and enthusiasm of Octopus people is inspiring, heartwarming and aligned with our vision.
We know that this 3-year partnership will help us realise some of our ambitions for the future, enabling us to better serve our community in times of great need. There are no words to say how excited we are to have Octopus’ support on this journey with us!”
