0-Love Southampton 2022-2023

8a. Faith Covenant (Project Overview)
Across the UK the Covid pandemic saw many local authorities either start or build upon
the existing partnerships with faith-based groups, recognising the value that they bring to
their communities. Since then, the government has launched the Faith New Deal Fund, a
pilot with the goal of boosting some of the innovative projects that help tackle some of the
issues facing the most vulnerable. Love Southampton was one of 16 winners, with the 5th
biggest allocation of funding, continuing the incredible work in addressing food poverty.
As part of the funding allocation an Impact Evaluation was commissioned to look at the
example of collaboration in Southampton and demonstrate the benefit and importance of
these partnerships, as well as some of the lessons learnt along the way.
The evaluation presents, examines and discusses findings in the following areas:
• The outputs achieved by Love Southampton and its partners in the area of
providing food support
• The processes, conditions and relationships that have led to these outputs
being delivered
• The impact in the lives of service users who have received food aid
• The contributing factors to effective cross sector relationships
Throughout October 2022 to January 2023 data was collected from a range of sources. Fifty
two interviews were conducted with different partner organisations, local government
service leads, service users and members. Information from Southampton’s first Food Aid
Census was used alongside additional data regarding food distribution from The Big
Difference and Southampton City Mission.
Page 32