A charity providing vital support to those in need during the coronavirus pandemic has vowed its service will not be affected the new national lockdown.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced tougher restrictions would be necessary to try and curtail the surge in Covid-19 cases in a TV address to the nation on Monday night.

The 3food4u initiative is allowed to continue to provide its service during lockdown and a normal timetable will still be in operation to help the community when its needed the most.

The service is open five days a week and operates on a non-referral, non-assessment basis, so people can just drop in on the following days at one of these hubs:

Monday: 13, Sun Street, Waltham Abbey EN9 1ER - 11.30am to 1pm

Tuesday: Loughton Club, 8 Station Road, Loughton IG10 4NX - 11.30am to 1pm

Wednesday: All Saints Church Hall, Chigwell Row IG7 4QD – 5pm to 6.30pm

Thursday: Queens Community Centre, School Green Lane, North Weald CM16 6EJ – 3pm to 4.30pm

Friday: 13 Sun Street, Waltham Abbey EN9 1ER - 11.30am to 1pm

The Chigwell hub tends to be quieter though, so people are advised to visit this one if possible.

Epping Forest Guardian:

The community project was established by the Rotary Club of Loughton, Buckhurst Hill and Chigwell and founder Pesh Kapasiawala said: “We are very conscious that it can be embarrassing and awkward asking for support for the most basic essentials, food and clothes, especially when you have been self-sufficient all your life. That's why our ethos is no assessment or referral and no questions asked.

“If you're brave enough to ask for help we give it. Just drop in. The whole process is very natural, just like going shopping.

“You're in charge of what you take, and you'll be greeted with a smile. When you're ready, you say goodbye and leave, happy and satisfied with one less thing to worry about.”

The charity has a fundraising page at www.give.net/3food4u

The club is continuing to meet on Zoom during the lockdown at 6pm on Thursdays. If you’d like to attend, contact Pesh on 020 8500 2527 / 07973 166940 or email pesh@londonresidential.co.uk.

The club have guest speakers over the next three weeks, starting with Dr Yvonne Thompson from Business and Community Action Experience this Thursday.

Nutritional therapist Kelly Mulhall is due to speak next Thursday (January 14) and Marta Herrera, a global scholar hosted by RC of London, is the speaker on Thursday, January 21.