Our Work Homelessness Prevention Origins of Bristol Goods Bristol Goods evolved from our pioneering food support project developed as a response to the Covid-19 pandemic and lockdowns. Known as Cheers Drive, it was the UK’s first-ever free food delivery service for people affected by homelessness. Cheers Drive Styled like a takeaway delivery service Cheers Drive would ‘deliver’ food to those temporarily placed in hotels and hostels, alongside providing food for partner charities, shelters and vulnerably housed individuals in Bristol. Cheers Drive would feed up to 400 homeless and vulnerably housed people each day, with each delivery including a breakfast, lunch and a hot dinner. Bristol Hospitality Legends With food provided by the people behind Bristol hospitality legends (including Emmeline, Pasta Loco, Salt and Malt, Pony and Trapp, The Hatch and Bianchi’s) takeaways were safely delivered straight to people experiencing homelessness in Bristol, the majority of whom had been moved from shelters and off the streets into temporary accommodation where they could self-isolate during the lockdowns. For many people, then and now, temporary accommodation does not necessarily come with adequate cooking facilities, if at all. One beneficiary said, “We’d have been living off pot noodles and cuppa soups if it wasn’t for you lot. Honestly, it’s just been great.” What we achieved 160,000 meals were delivered from 14 independent restaurants 850 individuals were supported. 200 volunteers gave over 20 thousand hours. 30 beneficiaries received hot meals after dark while observing Ramadan in April/May 2020. Cheers Drive was an integral part of the Everyone In scheme in Bristol. Working closely with Bristol City Council, St Mungo’s and Golden Key, Caring in Bristol and Cheers Drive were part of a city-wide initiative working not only keep people experiencing homelessness safe during the pandemic, but also supporting people to move away from crisis into stable accommodation. Bristol Goods Emerges Having learnt so much about the role of food in homelessness prevention, we carried our learning forward once the pandemic had subsided. We knew areas of Bristol had been classified as food deserts (research by Social Market Foundation) and could see the growing cost-of-living crisis. So, as we said “cheers!” to Cheers Drive, Bristol Goods took up the challenge of preventing homelessness in parts of the city disproportionately affected by housing insecurity... Find out more about who was involved and their amazing achievements in our impact report... Cheers Drive Impact Report Manage Cookie Preferences