BRITAINDIRECT
My Power: Family & Community

Mutual Aid: Real Community Power

Forget waiting for the government to fix things. Mutual aid is neighbours helping neighbours — the oldest form of social security there is.

What Is Mutual Aid?

Mutual aid is not charity. It's not volunteering. It's the radical idea that communities are stronger when people support each other — and that everyone has something to give.

During COVID, over 4,000 mutual aid groups formed across the UK in a matter of weeks. Neighbours who had never spoken before were suddenly cooking meals, delivering prescriptions, and sharing resources. Most of those groups have disbanded. But the need hasn't gone away — it's gotten worse.

Mutual aid works because it's local, immediate, and human. No forms to fill in. No eligibility criteria. No six-week waiting period. Just people looking out for each other.

What Mutual Aid Can Look Like

  • Food sharing — community fridges, cooking circles, surplus food redistribution (via OLIO or Too Good To Go).
  • Skills exchange — fix bikes, teach English, help with CV writing, basic IT support.
  • Practical help — lifts to appointments, prescription collection, DIY, gardening, childcare swaps.
  • Emotional support — regular check-ins, befriending, walking groups, bereavement support.
  • Collective buying — bulk purchasing groceries, energy switching groups, shared subscriptions.

Ways to Get Started

Start a Street Group

Begin with a simple leaflet through every door on your street: "Hi, I'm [name] at number [X]. I'm starting a neighbours' group for mutual support. Text/WhatsApp me on [number] if you'd like to join." You'll be surprised how many respond.

Community Kitchen

Cook together, eat together. Community kitchens tackle food poverty and loneliness simultaneously. Contact your local community centre or church hall about using their kitchen. FareShare and food redistribution charities can provide surplus ingredients for free.

Repair Cafés & Tool Libraries

Monthly repair events where skilled volunteers fix clothes, electronics, bikes, and furniture for free. Tool libraries let neighbours borrow instead of buying. The Repair Café Foundation provides a free starter kit and guidance.

Making It Last

Most mutual aid groups fail because one person does everything and burns out. The key to sustainability:

  • Rotate responsibilities — no one person should organise, communicate, and do all the practical work.
  • Keep it simple — a monthly meet-up and a WhatsApp group is enough. Don't create a committee.
  • Celebrate wins — when someone gets helped, share the story (with permission). Success breeds participation.
  • Connect with wider networks — link up with other local groups, the council's community team, and national organisations for resources and support.

Funding and Resources

Mutual aid doesn't need much money, but small amounts help. Look into:

  • National Lottery Community Fund — small grants from £300 for community projects.
  • Local council community grants — most councils have a small grants scheme.
  • Crowd-funding — GoFundMe or JustGiving for specific projects.
  • In-kind support — venues, printing, food donations from local businesses.

Essential Resources

Mutual Aid Starter Checklist

You don't need permission, funding, or a committee. Just start.

Build Community Support
Everything you need to start a mutual aid group on your street or estate.

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