Our Story
Richard wanted to help them find their spark, the thing that helped unlock their talents and find their path in the world. He couldn’t do that all on his own, so he started building relationships with local providers who could offer the training, education and mental health and wellbeing support the young people needed.
But Richard knew that giving young people support was only part of the solution. They also needed opportunity. FareShare, the food surplus charity, provided it, giving the young people real work experience in their warehouses.
Richard saw an opportunity: to provide life changing support for disadvantaged young people, whilst simultaneously addressing the issues of local food poverty and huge food surpluses on the other. One organisation. Two clear goals. That’s when SOFEA was born.

Since its launch in 2014, SOFEA has helped over 400 young people gain qualifications, skills and work experience whilst helping to transform their local communities via purpose projects such as community larders and food surplus distribution. We do what other providers can’t, supporting young people in ways other providers don’t. It’s why our partners, from schools and local authorities to the police and health services, work with us.