The Shared Table
A weekly meal and conversation with older neighbours who live alone. Hot food goes to the door for those who cannot come.
London · neighbourhood charity
Neighbourhood begins in a courtyard we share.
Avlu means courtyard in Turkish. We share weekly tables with older neighbours who live alone, read with children and grow food on a borrowed plot, and we offer help quietly, with dignity.
- Registered charityStatus shown wherever we ask for money
- Gift Aid readyDeclaration built into the form
- Open reportsAnnual reports and accounts archive
- Volunteers hear backEvery application tracked in one place
Our work
Four doors onto one courtyard
Each programme is run by a volunteer team. Read what we do in the news, and how we spend in the reports.
Courtyard Garden
We grow on an empty plot together and share the harvest between the table and our neighbours.
Reading Corner
Story time, homework help and a small lending library built from donated books.
Neighbour Parcels
Essential food for households in need, delivered without publishing names or photos.
Give
Give in the way that suits you
We do not suggest amounts; you decide what to give. Make a single gift, set up a monthly donation or become a member and pay your subscription here.
Registered charity. Avlu Neighbourhood Trust is a registered charity in England and Wales, number sample field, as section 39 of the Charities Act 2011 asks us to state on appeals.
Gift Aid. If you are a UK taxpayer, we can claim an extra 25p for every pound you give, at no cost to you. Tick the declaration in the form.
Bank transfer
- Account name
- Avlu Neighbourhood Trust
- Sort code
- 00 00 00
- Account
- 00000000
- Reference
- Your surname and GIFT, for example “Jones GIFT”
How your support is used
Every gift goes to a heading
These headings show how we group our spending. The split shown is a sample; the real figures are published each year in our annual report.
- Shared mealsIngredients, kitchen and doorstep deliveryShare: sample
- Food parcelsEssential food and hygiene itemsShare: sample
- Children and booksBooks, stationery, reading sessionsShare: sample
- GardenSeeds, seedlings, tools and waterShare: sample
- Running the charityRent, accounts and required costsShare: sample
Transparency
You should never have to ask where the money went
Reports are published as readable pages as well as downloads. Our trustees decide what is shared.
- Annual reportWhat we did, who we reached, what we learnedSample link
- Accounts summaryDonations, subscriptions and spending by headingSample link
- TrusteesRoles and how to reach themSample link
- Governing documentPurpose, membership and decision makingSample link
- AGM minutesDecisions taken, by yearSample link
How we work
Four principles, every time
- 01
Dignity first
We never publish the names, faces or homes of people we support. Photos show volunteers and people who have agreed.
- 02
Open accounts
Every gift is recorded under a heading and reported at the end of the year.
- 03
Neighbourhood scale
We work in streets we know, face to face; we stay close rather than grow fast.
- 04
Volunteer time matters
Every volunteer gets a named contact, a short welcome and a clear role.
News
Notes from the courtyard
Each story links to its programme, so the way to support what you just read is right there.
Courtyard Garden
Volunteers wanted for autumn planting
We are sowing winter vegetables together. We bring the gloves, everyone brings the conversation.
Sample storyReading Corner
New shelves for the lending library
Donated books have been sorted and labelled by age group.
Sample storyNotice
Annual general meeting
The agenda and joining details have been emailed to members; the minutes will be added to the reports archive.
Sample storyVolunteer
One hour a week is enough to set a table
In the kitchen, the garden, at story time or on parcel rounds: tell us what you enjoy and when you are free, and a named contact will get back to you.
- ApplyFill in the form and pick your interests.
- Welcome coffeeA short chat with a coordinator in the courtyard.
- First dayYou start alongside an experienced volunteer.
FAQ
Questions people ask
Cannot find your question? Write to us through the contact form and a volunteer will reply.
Still have a question?+44 0000 000000 · hello@avlu.exampleGet in touch
Will I get a receipt?
Yes. Every online donation and bank transfer receives an email receipt from the charity. For transfers, just use the reference shown on this page.
How does Gift Aid work?
If you are a UK taxpayer and tick the declaration with your full name, home address and postcode, we can claim Gift Aid on your donation. Let us know if your tax situation changes.
Can I give to one programme only?
Yes. Choose where your gift goes in the form. Restricted gifts are recorded against that programme and reported separately.
Who can become a member?
Anyone who supports our purpose and meets the conditions in our governing document can apply. Applications are considered by the trustees.
How do you protect the people you support?
We never publish names, photos or addresses. Household details are kept in records only named coordinators can access, in line with UK GDPR.
How do I stop a monthly gift?
Use the link in your receipt email or write to us, and we will stop it without asking why.
Contact
Visit the courtyard or write to us
Use the form for questions about giving, membership, volunteering or press. Messages go straight to the right coordinator.
- Phone+44 0000 000000
- Emailhello@avlu.example
- LocationLondon
- Courtyard openWeekdays, 10am to 6pm