while Bermondsey is undergoing a dramatic and impressive transformation, the heart of the area remains untarnished. The Manna Society – based on Melior Street – exemplifies the core values and charitable spirit of the area.
Manna means ‘food from heaven,’ according to The Bible, and this phrase took on a whole new meaning when Nannette Ffrench founded The Manna Society in 1982.
Director Bandi Mbubi explains that Nanette’s desire to help the less fortunate developed during her time in Africa; “She had experienced the civil unrest in Zimbabwe, which led up to the country’s independence. She had treated people who were caught up in the war, which traumatized her, so she returned to the UK in the early ‘80s.”
“If you stop worrying about food, then you can explore other things, even just reading a book
Nannette, a former Franciscan nun, immediately set about dedicating her life to helping the homeless, but found that her order stood in the way. “The funny thing is, if you belong to an order, you can’t do things by yourself, you have to do what is decided for you,” Bandi explains. Eventually, Nannette took the decision to give up the safety of her order; The Catholic Church appreciated her cause and allowed her to use their premises, from which The Manna Society still operates today.
Without the resources to properly care for herself, let alone London’s homeless, Nannette used her “bold but softly spoken” candour to secure bread from local bakery Ticino, based on Bermondsey Street, who, instead of handing her the end-of-day throwaways, decided to bake bread especially for the homeless. This was, for Nanette, the ‘food from heaven’ from which the Manna Society was born.
Today, 14 members of staff and 60 volunteers welcome between 150-200 people a day, 7 days a week. Half of these people are homeless, and the other half were homeless and are now in limited accommodation. Between 8.30am and 1.30pm, the first and most important service is offered: food made by master chef, Irene Boyle – which, Bandi says, has got him looking “chubby”.
“People take it for granted, but a decent meal is important. If you stop worrying about food, then you can explore other things, even just reading a book,” says Bandi. The greatest help can be a simple as food, or a hot shower which is also provided, “Self respect, sometimes, takes little things,” he adds on the importance of dignity.
Fed, watered and clean, attendees of the Manna Society can then explore the other fantastic services available: there’s a clothes store; the NHS provides a nurse, chiropodist, orthopaedist and a dentist; and an advice section, which simply allows people to discuss their problems with someone who can help. Educational facilities are a growing part of Manna’s work, too. English tuition for both native speakers and foreign immigrants is available, as is computer work, which provides the tools necessary to apply for the vital benefits which many of Manna’s visitors are entitled to, but currently cannot access.
The Manna Society is a charity; it relies on donations and volunteers to help the homeless people of London. 15% of their income comes from Southwark council, the rest from kind donations – such as monetary gifts from businesses, or the sandwiches provided by Pret a Manger.
The wonderful work doesn’t stop on Melior Street. Bandi was keen to explain that the autonomy achieved by Manna’s charity status – as opposed to being state-funded – gives them the power to lobby; to have a public voice and to be involved in the national debate regarding homelessness and poverty. “We’re always innovating,” explains Bandi. “We want to help people look after themselves.”
The Manna Society continues to help: tackling the causes of homelessness with counselling, providing immediate relief with hot showers, food and clothing, and ensuring a brighter future through medical care, advice, education and even home-furnishings.
If you’d like to support the people at Melior Street with anything from money, food or equipment to volunteering, they would gladly accept your call, so that the work begun by Nannette Ffrench and carried on so fantastically by Bandi and his team can continue for years to come.
For more information, contact The Manna Society:
6 Melior Street
London
SE1 3QP
t: 020 7357 9363
e: Administrator@mannasociety.org.uk
w: www.mannasociety.org.uk
-
THEATRE of Food
Take a seat at Olivelli
Category: Food&Drink -
OUR GREAT British pubs
We explore some of the measures taken by traditional pubs to stay upright in the modern era of austerity
Category: Food&Drink -
PAPPARDELLE with white truffle and dried mushrooms
From Fine Foods, SE1
Category: Food&Drink -
TURKISH delight
Tower Bridge, London's gateway to exotic foods is explored
Category: Food&Drink -
VINTAGE Style
The eternal appeal of nostalgia is vividly explored
Category: Style -
HELLO My Name is Paul Smith
The Design Museum recreates the life’s work of an iconic British designer
Category: Style -
ZANDRA RHODES Unseen...
Celebrating The 10th Anniversary of FTM
Category: Style -
The London Bridge Quarter
Rejuvenating one of London’s oldest areas
Category: Style -
Bermondsey Street FESTIVAL
21 September 2013 - Save the date!
Category: Culture -
CRACK COMEDY'S Edinburgh Fringe Previews
Bringing the festival to your front door
Category: Culture -
SUMMER in the City
Top ten things to do in London this summer
Category: Culture -
CHARLES DICKENS by Simon Callow
The Great Theatre of the World - A book review
Category: For The Soul -
TRAINING Outdoors
Fitness anywhere, anytime
Category: For The Soul -
The MANNA SOCIETY
Helping the homeless
Category: For The Soul -
POETRY
In this edition, we have a truly eclectic selection of poems from Greta Bellamacina and Lex Avis. Enjoy!
Category: For The Soul -
STATE OF THE ART and Flexible Office Space
The thriving environment of Renaissance Works
Category: Property -
HISTORY in the Making
Extracts from 'The Local History of One Tower Bridge'
Category: Property -
Handcrafted KITCHENS
Lift your home with ethically sourced materials and a bespoke design
Category: Property