Founded with Love
Started from a pop-up showcase in 2016
Our Story
Supporting Migrant WomenThrough Food & Community
Somali Kitchen is a not for profit CIC bringing together women from minority and ethnic groups around the themes of healthy food, healthy families and healthy lifestyles. Somali Kitchen is run by Somali and other migrant women for women from migrant backgrounds who are living in Bristol.
Community Driven
By and for women from migrant backgrounds
Safe Spaces
Where women connect, inspire and empower
Cooking Together
Community Spirit
Sharing Stories
Cooking Together
Community Spirit
Sharing Stories
Our Mission & Story
Somali Kitchen is a not for profit CIC bringing together women from minority and ethnic groups around the themes of healthy food, healthy families and healthy lifestyles. Somali Kitchen is run by Somali and other migrant women for women from migrant backgrounds who are living in Bristol.
Somali Kitchen was set up in 2016 and registered in 2018. We are closely connected to our community and our development has been driven in response to needs. We aim to empower women to develop a healthy food culture, build confidence in their abilities, and gain the skills they need to reach their full potential.
We provide safe spaces for progression to develop the women to connect to inspire and empower each other and to access support and opportunities.
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Addressing Community Challenges
The Challenge We Face
Bristol has one of the highest densities of fast food outlets in the UK, and our neighborhoods have a huge number in close proximity to our homes and children's schools. This means our children and young people are exposed to unhealthy food choices constantly.
We've been exploring how the local environment shapes food habits in our community, homes, and our children's schools, and we're concerned about the negative impacts on our community's health and wellbeing.
Our Approach to Change
We believe in working together to create positive change. Through our programs, we promote fresh, nutritious food and help build a thriving, affordable local food culture that benefits everyone in our community.
Our work focuses on empowering women to develop healthy food cultures, build confidence in their abilities, and gain the skills they need to reach their full potential while supporting their families' wellbeing.
TEAM
Meet Our Team
We are a group of dedicated community members who have been meeting regularly and working tirelessly to build something meaningful for our community. Our diverse team brings together years of lived experience, community organizing, and a deep understanding of the needs of women from migrant and ethnic minority backgrounds in Bristol.
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Food has the power to bring people together and create lasting change.
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Suad H Yusuf
Managing Director
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Every recipe shared is a story preserved for future generations.
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Sara Muse
Facilitator
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Supporting our community through organization and dedication.
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Zainab Sharif
Admin
Our Impact & Vision
Since our founding, we've been working tirelessly to create positive change in our community. From running projects at Wellspring Healthy Living Centre to providing direct aid during COVID-19, we've adapted to meet the evolving needs of women and families in Bristol. Here's what we've achieved together in our journey towards a healthier, more connected community.
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500+
Community Members
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1000+
Meals Shared
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200+
Workshop Graduates
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50+
Community Partners
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Our Vision for the Future
Vision
Somali Kitchen thrives to work with and support migrant women to adopt healthy lifestyles and mental wellbeing, become confident and able to access services, education, training, employment opportunities and/or to set up their own organisation/business in Bristol. Somali Kitchen's vision is to develop their own study centre for migrant women.
Mission Statement
Somali Kitchen is dedicated to reduce social isolation and health inequalities among Somali and migrant women in Bristol by providing a safe space to socialise, gain confidence and be empowered to take steps towards better health outcomes and improving their quality of life.