Coronavirus: Inspiring Peterborough group cooks 1,000 meals for most vulnerable city residents

Though a teacher and beautician as their day jobs, the motivated pair have taken on to helping Peterborough residents who are shielding, hungry or without basic necessities.

What started out as the pair using their own ingredients and a few close family and friends cooking a few meals has snowballed into dozens of people helping out. Within a few days, the pair noticed there were many requests and having quickly exhausted the help they had, they knew they had to think bigger.

Using social media, Nadia and Huma have been able to go from three volunteers to a mighty team of 21 who are batch cooking different meals for those in need, as well as dozens of other volunteers who help with donations and delivery.

After posting on Facebook group Peterborough Women’s Association, Huma was amazed at how many ‘lovely women’ had replied offering to help out.

Having cooked more than 1,000 meals in a matter of three weeks, the group of women have not stopped in their mission to help feed those who are hungry across Peterborough. As well as helping individuals, the group has come to the aid of the Garden House, Extended Hands, Peterborough Soup Kitchen, the Light Project Peterborough and COMPAS charity.

Delivering their food, the women have helped survivors of domestic violence and victims of modern slavery. Huma recalls: “They didn’t speak any English, but I know they were thankful as tears came to their eyes. We don’t just want to do this during the pandemic but to continue afterwards, so no one goes hungry.”

Despite trying to give more to some residents who had ‘nothing in their cupboards’, the women were humbled that recipients had declined any extra food, as despite their hunger and need they still wanted others to be fed.

The collective group have made numerous friendships while helping the wider Peterborough community. Nadia said: “We’ve been cooking for the last two weeks straight. In our WhatsApp group we have Polish women, Hindu women, Pakistani women, English women where we all share banter, jokes and a lot of fun.”

The group urges anyone who wants to help, or needs any help, to get in touch. Let’s Make a Difference can be found on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/Lets-Make-a-difference-100778494947556/) or by calling 07954 792194.