From Egypt to Lambeth and HLP’s supportive community- Reham’s Story

Reham comes from Egypt and now lives in Lambeth. At home she typically cooks traditional Egyptian food; dishes like hearty stews using beans and okra. While she likes to eat healthily herself, she finds it can be hard to get her kids to do the same.   

Reham first came across HLP when she picked up a leaflet at her son's school. She’s very grateful she found the leaflet as HLP has changed her life in a very positive way. Reham has participated in many HLP courses and events and particularly finds the community around LEAP events beneficial. “Being a full-time mum can be isolating, it has been very helpful to come together with other mums.”  

Reham has been on the HLP Food Ambassador programme, enjoyed Mini Chefs sessions with her kids, attended the breast-feeding group and stocks up on healthy food at the Pantry. 

She feels she’s learnt a lot about food and nutrition through HLP. In particular on the Food Ambassador programme, Reham discovered new ways of cooking, different foods, learnt more about eating healthily and about the impact of sugar. 

Through the breast-feeding group and other LEAP events, Reham has met a lot of new people, which she really enjoys. As a result, she has found community and formed a supportive group of mums around her.  

Reham uses the Pantry on a regular basis. She finds it has been really good at helping her and her family eat healthily, especially during the cost-of-living crisis. “It’s great to be able to get so much healthy food for £5 a week, especially with the prices in the supermarkets at the moment.” The variety of food offered and the fact that it changes from week to week is also great. This allows Reham to make different healthy dishes for herself and her kids instead of eating the same kinds of things all the time. 

Reham would highly recommend LEAP to other mums and families, as a way to meet other parents, try new things and create community.