Local elections 2024: Southampton voters talk politics over food

Monty's hosts a free neighbourhood lunch every Thursday

Politics is easier discussed over food.

Luckily, at Monty's community hub in Sholing there is a free neighbourhood lunch cooked by volunteers every Thursday.

It is all done with food donated to the community pantry by local convenience stores and supermarkets.

Mari Saitch is one of the volunteer cooks who comes here every week to create a menu out of whatever has been donated.

"I hate waste and I love cooking - I like feeding the people," she told me.

But she also knows some of the people who come for this meal might not get another hot dinner for a few days.

"The cost of living issues have hit hard with some in this area," she said.

Vegetable pie, roast potatoes and curly kale were all on the menu

Monty's opened in 2013, in an old shop under some flats, and was the vision of volunteers after the closure of the local youth centre.

Roger Griffin, who is a children and youth worker at Monty's, said he wanted to see a council offering more provision for children and young people.

"It sets the basis for community - as they grow up, they replicate the values they learn and the community spirit," he said.

But he is also fed up with potholes and fly-tipping that "need sorting out".

Roger Griffin is a children and youth worker at Monty's

One of those who visited Monty's was 18-year-old Jordan.

He said: "We need activities to get young people engaged. There's some you can do without much funding - a game of tag or football. Team activities in the community help youngsters bond and create a better atmosphere."

Almost everyone I spoke to mentioned anti-social behaviour and disaffected young people.

Jordan said young people needed more activities to keep them engaged

Caroline Britain, who also dropped by Monty's, said: "It can be quite scary on the estate at night, with young people hanging around and the levels of anti-social behaviour. I think it's a policing issue but also I do understand some of the young people have nowhere to go."

Next week the Conservatives will defend their control in Sholing - it is one of only two wards on Southampton City Council where they currently hold all three seats.

What do the Conservatives say?

Dan Fitzhenry, Conservative group leader, said: "In estates giving people - particularly young people - things to do is important, that does require community support."

He added: "Older people with time can get involved and the council can support people to help themselves, even if they can't provide services themselves, because budgets are tight, we understand that."

What do Labour say?

Lorna Fielker, Labour leader, said: "After a rise in anti-social behaviour last summer, we increased working in partnership with young people's services to get youth workers into these areas including in local schools."

She highlighted cuts in youth services, but added: "We need to bear in mind, Covid-19 and the way young people socialise has changed, a youth club which was right in the 1980s isn't necessarily right now".

What do the Liberal Democrats say?

Richard Blackman, from the Liberal Democrats, said communities needed to be "empowered to tackle these problems".

"Certain spaces could be cheaper for youth groups to use because the cost of accessing clubs and societies does mean it's out of reach for many," he added.

What do other parties say?

Katherine Barbour, of the Green party, said there needed to be "things for young people to feel hope in the area", and "asking them what they want is key".

Nick Chaffey, who is standing for the Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition party (TUSC), said: "We've gone through a decade where young people are missing out on the opportunity of safe, supervised youth facilities where they can get the support they need."

"Despite paying more council tax than ten years ago, we are getting less public services," he added.

Meanwhile, John Edwards, from Reform UK, said: "People aren't happy to pay more and get less service."

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