We’ll use these findings to push for a Cash First approach when Lewisham delivers its Crisis & Resilience Fund in 2026.
📊 Full data & graphics in our Linktree in bio. 4/4

This is part of our Cash First Trial, building on our 2021 pilot.
In June 2025, 30 participants received cash support for 4 weeks, testing 3 different payment methods. Trial results will be released mid-October. 3/4

🔹 88% don’t have enough money for food
🔹 74% skipped meals because they couldn’t afford to eat
🔹 21% went a full day without eating in the previous week
🔹 54% prefer support via bank transfer 2/4

Lewisham’s Food Insecurity Crisis.
The only food insecurity data for the borough is out now, and it shows how urgent the situation is 1/4 @ifanuk.bsky.social @sabinegoodwin.bsky.social

📣 What did we actually do?
Our Cash First trial ran for 4 weeks.
30 people received direct cash support — shaped by community voices, not top-down decisions. 1/3
@sabinegoodwin.bsky.social @ifanuk.bsky.social

We’ve been talking about our #CashFirst trial — now we’re digging into the why.

Week 3 of 4: 30 people receiving direct cash, co-designed with communities, rooted in trust & dignity.

Cash in a crisis isn’t radical — it’s necessary. @ifanuk.bsky.social @sabinegoodwin.bsky.social 1/4

We are in Week 2 of 4 of our Cash First trial – 30 participants are receiving direct cash payments.
Building on findings from our 2021 pilot, this research helps us understand what method of payment works — and why

@ifanuk.bsky.social @sabinegoodwin.bsky.social #CashFirst

Here’s a snapshot from our 2021 Cash First pilot. We found cash gave people flexibility, choice and room to experiment, helping ease the psychological impact of poverty. Now, as we move into the Cash First Trial, we’re testing which payment method works best and why.

We’re excited to launch the next phase of Cash First- A Participatory Action Research (PAR) project tackling food insecurity in Lewisham with direct cash support.
Designed with the community, with the aim to drive policy change. @sabinegoodwin.bsky.social @ifanuk.bsky.social