BASE & Roses – food mutual aid collective

Union Matters, Royal Mail Group (EMP) September 17 2020

Thursday 17th September 2020

“We see this as solidarity rather than charity,” says Bristol East Delivery Office postman Joe Hylton, who spends his time off helping local volunteers collect and distribute food to people all across the city.

‘Base & Roses’ is a food mutual aid collective set up by people from the BASE Social Centre in the city’s Easton district, and it pledges to ‘deliver food parcels and cooked meals on request to anyone who needs’ operating on the basis of ‘core mutual aid principles’.

Launched before the Covid-19 crisis broke out, the centre provided meals in its own premises for the local community. But they began the delivery service when the centre had to close its doors in March.

“We supply almost 150 households with a free food box every week and our volunteers deliver to people’s homes and people living on the street with free cooked meals twice a week,” says Joe.

The food, which is all vegan, is donated by shops, catering companies and outlets and individuals, but running costs for fuel and other expenses need to be covered.

“We cover a wide area and there’s a lot of food poverty in Bristol,” says Joe, “so if people are able to make a donation to our running costs, this will allow us to continue the work we’ve been doing.”

Bristol & District Amal Branch secretary Rob Wotherspoon tells CWU News that the branch “fully supports the great work Joe and his fellow volunteers are doing in our city.

“The principle of social solidarity and of helping those in need is a key principle of trade unionism – and we’re proud to get behind this initiative.

 “If anyone wants to or is able to make a donation, any amount large or small will be gratefully received.”

To donate to the Base & Roses Collective, please visit here