Funds are being raised for the Home From Home Cultural Support campaign which is delivering culturally specific food to vulnerable African and Caribbean people in Medway.

The chair of the Medway African Caribbean Association (MACA) say this will help their health and mental wellbeing, especially seeing as black people are disproportionately suffering the from the impacts of coronavirus.

More than a third of critically-ill patients with Covid-19 have been black, asian or another ethnic minority according to The Intensive Care National Audit and Research Centre. According to the 2011 census people from ethnic minority backgrounds make up just 14% of the population.

Carol Stewart, chair of MACA, said: "Some of the support they get from central government in terms of food hampers has not been culturally specific, so a lot of food might go to waste as it is not meeting peoples cultural and dietary needs.

"In response, we decided to fundraise to provide some meals and some hampers for people from the black community who are having to self isolate or for those who are vulnerable, such as the elderly.

"I think it is better for people's health to eat food they are used to, particularly those which have no access to government funding or grants. It also helps break down the feeling of being even more isolated, contributing to their mental and emotional wellbeing and making them feel more at home.

"While people appreciate the huge efforts going on up and down the country, I think having something which specifically reflects who you are is better for people."

The hampers are set to include items such as tins of ackee, callaloo, packets of saltfish, seasoning, mackerel and plantain.

Getting these supplies has been difficult during lockdown, with other products made for African and Caribbean people such as different shampoos being almost impossible to access with key stores being closed.

Ms Stewart adds: "A lot of the culturally specific shops are quite small so it makes it quite difficult to maintain social distancing. Some of the prices also tend to be quite expensive because supplies are limited. We are able to access some of the larger suppliers but also support local businesses as well to enable suppliers to get out to people who need it most."

The funds will also support a telephone befriending service for isolated people in the community to have a friendly voice at the end of the phone a few times a week.

With a grant from the Martin Lewis Coronavirus Emergency Fund and £670 raised on MACA's gofundme page, the charity was able to start delivering food last week, but are still in need of more support.

One of the first deliveries went to Joe Cole, who said: "We have been given things which are usually very difficult to get, which I normally use. But they are good for me. We are very thankful."

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