BOX-IT, a story of lockdown
by Sylvia Livett, BOX-IT lead and deliverer
It was in May when we started to deliver food packages with the BOX-IT project.
Our first deliveries were to RISE members (women only) who were known to us. The feedback we got from our first few deliveries was very positive; we had already been in lockdown for some time and we found that people were missing social contact, as well as experiencing problems or anxieties shopping for food.
It wasn’t long before the right contacts were made and we were linked to the Community Southwark Hub. This connection really extended our reach, and referrals started coming in from both men and women. Many people who signed up to our BOX-IT service were shielding (due to cancer, diabetes and other long term conditions).
We have shared the highs and lows, here are just a few:
hair today, gone tomorrow
On one delivery, the door was answered by a very tearful BOX-IT participant with a scarf wrapped round her head. Story goes that she had tried to dye her long dark hair a few shades lighter, but had left the dye on far too long, which had caused her hair to turn plastic-like and fall out! After a conversation on who could cut her hair, she warmed to the idea of going short with a bob hairstyle,. The next week, when I stopped by, the scarf had gone and the new hair style looked great.
On another hairstyle adventure, the heatwave made one of our other BOX-IT participants cut off his dreadlocks and shave his head. I didn’t recognise him!
other stories from the deliveries
Many of the people we delivered to were struggling with leaving the house. This meant that, for many, we were the only people that they saw or talked to.
Listening to women dealing with domestic violence, which was being seen for the first time by the children that were now out of school and at home all day, as well as meeting people fleeing violence and homophobia, was sad.
This was alongside all the normal things that needed to be coped with, that in lockdown became a bigger issue - things like a toothache that needed attention and that forced that first step outside. I also met families living in temporary accommodation, with one room, shared kitchens and bathrooms and witnessed the stress that a young mother felt under.
A donation of £100 was received from a participant who was so grateful for food that wasn’t dried pasta or lentils – in fact, she also donated a rather large bag of both, which was passed on to a couple who had fled their home without anything in the face of violence.
The weekly feedback about the recipes were so positive, and included a participant who had never before cooked with coconut milk. Now it’s part of her diet and has opened up a whole different side of cooking. This was alongside another story of a participant who was delighted to receive “real cod” that was deemed “just delicious”.
We have shared great moments of A* passes for children; have been sent photos of meals prepared by mums and children; first time male cooks; some taking the big step of going outside their houses and back to church; had someone sing happy birthday; had teacakes cooked for us as a thank you from a single mum.