Young person's food poverty charity expanding

Melanie Vaxevanakis says demand for her charity is increasing every year

A youth-led charity empowering people through food is opening a new community kitchen.

Bristol's Mazi Project currently supports 90 disadvantaged 16 to 25-year-olds each week. But charity bosses say demand has been increasing, which is why they are launching a new service.

Founder Melanie Vaxevanakis, 27, said it had grown "crazily" fast, and she hopes the charity will be supporting about 160 people by the end of the year.

"We'll be using food as a way to build bridges within the city," she said.

'Skipping meals'

Young people are given three meals per week, each meal serving two people.

Around 70% of those that are referred to the charity "worry or struggle about whether they are going to be able to afford a meal," said Ms Vaxevanakis.

"A lot of the young people that we worked with previously would eat takeaways or frozen meals, or skip meals quite often," she continued.

"They eat very processed foods - not because they were choosing to eat the unhealthy option. A massive issue is that people don't necessarily have the knowledge to cook healthier, nutritious food."

Those coming to the project are given fresh ingredients, a cook book and everyday items including herbs and oils.

The Mazi Project celebrate its three year anniversary earlier this year

When the community kitchen, based in Bedminster, is fully open, the charity plans to hosts "lots of different events for marginalised groups".

Nikita Berry, from Bristol, has been using the charity for about two years. From her weekly boxes, she has learnt how the food she eats affects her body.

"It impacts how I feel," the 20-year-old said.

"I was just ordering loads of takeaways and I was very unwell as well.

"My body was suffering, but then when I started using Mazi, I started making my food and understanding how important the link between our health and food is."

The charity also helped her feel part of a community - something she had missed growing up.

"I've had family struggles and friendship struggles," she added.

"Mazi is really warm and welcoming and it feels like a second home now."