We sat down with Start Strong Camden participant – and winner of our £1000 programme grant – Malihe Sadeghi, to learn about the journey of ‘Food for Homeless’.
About the project
Food for Homeless is a community-led initiative in Camden supporting people experiencing homelessness, refugees, asylum seekers and vulnerable adults. Through food provision, digital inclusion activities and mental wellbeing support, the project plays a vital role in improving community wellbeing.
Malihe took part in Start Strong Camden, an Allia programme designed to support early-stage founders with skills, strategy and confidence. She later won Allia’s pitch event, receiving a £1,000 grant which recognised her growth and the project’s community impact.
What have you enjoyed about being part of the Start Strong programme?
“I really enjoyed being part of the programme because it gave me practical support, confidence, and guidance at a time when my project was growing quickly. The sessions were very inspiring, and the environment was welcoming, encouraging, and full of positive energy. Being around other founders also made me feel understood and supported. Winning the prize at the end was an incredible achievement for the Food for Homeless Project and really motivated me further.”
What key things have you learnt?
“I learned how to structure my ideas more clearly, how to plan for growth, and how to develop a stronger strategy for the project. The programme helped me understand the importance of good governance, impact measurement, and thinking long-term about sustainability. I also learned more about fundraising and how to clearly present the value of our work.”
Have you overcome any challenges through the programme?
“Personally, the programme helped me build my confidence as a founder and improved my communication when presenting the project. From a business perspective, it helped me overcome challenges related to planning, organising, and managing a bigger team of volunteers. It also helped me think more clearly about improving our systems and processes as we expand.”
What new skills have you gained, and which existing skills have you improved?
“I have learned skills in strategic planning, creating stronger funding applications, improving financial forecasting, and managing stakeholders. I also gained better skills in impact reporting and communicating the outcomes of our work more effectively.
I improved my leadership skills, presentation skills, budgeting, and project management. I also strengthened my ability to write clearer applications and proposals, which has helped us secure more support for the Food for Homeless Project.”
Was there anything surprising you about the programme?
“I was surprised by how much support is available once you know where to look and how to ask. I was also surprised by how quickly the project could improve with the right guidance and structure. And of course, being selected as a prize winner was a wonderful and unexpected surprise.”
What are your next steps?
“My next steps are to continue building the project into a more formal organisation, improve our governance, and increase the impact of our ‘Safe Table, Safe Minds’ initiative. I plan to apply the knowledge from the programme to strengthen our operations and fundraising, develop more partnerships, and move toward registering fully as a CIO. I also want to keep improving my leadership skills and continue learning through future programmes.”
Any comments on the programme content?
“The content was very helpful, practical, and designed in a way that made it easy to understand. Every session added value, and the tools provided were directly useful for my project. I especially appreciated how relevant the content was to real challenges faced by small community organisations.”
Any comments on those who led the programme or the organisation?
“The programme leaders were excellent – knowledgeable, kind, supportive, and very encouraging. Everything was organised smoothly and professionally. I always felt supported and listened to, and Allia created a safe environment where I felt comfortable asking questions and learning without pressure.”
Any final comments? Would you join another Allia programme?
“I am very grateful for being selected, supported, and awarded through this programme. It has made a real difference to the Food for Homeless Project. I would absolutely take part in another Allia programme if it suited the next stage of my work. Thank you for everything.”
Find out more
If you’re leading a community-focussed initiative, impact business, or even just have an idea for one – browse Allia’s current programmes to find free support to help you start strong or scale up: allia.org.uk/business-support
