Scarlett's Van Next Door in Custom House & Beyond

Help us raise money to provide fresh fruit and vegetables to the residents of Custom House by supporting THE BOX NEXT DOOR initiative. Highlighted by the COVID-19 crisis, local residents lack access to affordable healthy foods. A collective initiated by local dream maker Scarlett Howlett organises fresh boxes in a weekly pickup and neighbourhood delivery service, directly connecting wholesale greengrocer produce to residents. This is providing an innovative distribution mechanism for the residents of Custom House. Through the TBND platform, Scarlett cultivates local makers and provides them with access to the local market and connects them with local residents. We’re hoping that your support allows her to reimagine her efforts to provide this amazing initiative to other residents in the wider London Borough of Newham and beyond with THE VAN NEXT DOOR.

We are students from Diploma Unit 20 at the Architectural Association, working at Custom House in East London; a place promised regeneration for nearly 30 years that is now on the cusp of this transformation, made real with the help and resolve of a community shaping its own destiny. Our goal is to be first-hand participants in this process and to build our collective confidence by understanding that the changes we imagine are also within our capacity to realise them.

As a sponsor for this project, you will be able to support the realisation of this dream. Over the past few months, we have been actively engaging with members of this community to rethink branding, a physical storefront, a financial business model, online outreach, as well as incorporating childcare with books, activities and toys for children. Your contribution will enable us to take these ideas miles ahead and help Scarlett take her van on the road with costs for buying and fitting out the van.