At The MAZI Project, we believe nutritious food is a basic right — not a privilege.
But right now, across the UK, too many young people are going hungry. Many are struggling with mental and physical health issues stopping them from thriving.
This is not a coincidence. Our mind and body are deeply interconnected
The MAZI Project is changing that. Using food as a tool to improve mental health, confidence, and access to opportunities and financial independence!
What we do:
Over the past four years we have worked hard to deliver health, education and employment opportunities to marginalised young people across Bristol!
But it hasn’t been easy.
As diet-related diseases and mental health issues put an unbearable strain on the NHS, and more people are pushed into poverty, small grassroots organisations like MAZI are being stretched to the limit.
Government welfare cuts are set to push over 250,000 into poverty — and young people already facing crisis will be hit the hardest. That’s why we urgently need your support.
By backing this crowd funder, you’ll help us continue delivering life-changing services to our aMAZIng members — young people aged 16–25 who are navigating some of life’s toughest challenges.
What do our aMAZIng members (our young people) say?
Our aMAZIng meal kits:
When aMAZIng Members are first referred to us from our partner organisations (see below), they receive a free starter kit with oil, a recipe binder and spices. Then, each week they choose their favourite recipes and receive pre-portioned, locally sourced ingredients from nature friendly farming bought by MAZI alongside engaging and educational recipe cards.
Our aMAZIng community volunteers pack over 90 meal kits each week- that's 540 meals! Sadly we still have a waiting list of vulnerable young people, and need your support to reach them. Bristol contains some of the most deprived neighbourhoods in England, where food inequality has become a daily reality for thousands of young people
‘It’s hard going hungry - I have a 4 month baby and have been sofa surfing for years. I have just got my own place through home choice - this would help greatly.’ aMAZIng member
‘I feel hopeless. The increased cost of living means that all my money is going towards the bills and I am left with no money for food.’ aMAZIng member
The meal kits are an ongoing monthly cost but we are value driven. We believe if you and I can have access to high quality fresh ingredients why can’t our members? The impact and need for our meal kits is clear.
Since being founded, we have delivered over 120,000 meals and supported over 350 young people!
Our education and employment programmes:
The MAZI Project has hosted dozens of vibrant food education events - from fire cooking, pasta-making, and foraging experiences to immersive supper clubs- all in collaboration with our local community.
Our events are designed to do more than teach cooking skills; they build life skills like budgeting, meal planning, and sustainable food practices, while creating a space where young people feel connected, empowered, and seen. Most importantly, we use a person centred approach to nurture confidence and resilience.
As of last year, we are proud to be an ASDAN-registered centre, helping us increase access to accredited learning and support young people to become financially independent.
Hear from two of our young graduates
Callum (3rd from the left): “The course was a big learning curve because I didn’t like vegetables, but I was quite surprised with how vegan dishes could taste really good. I’d never had courgette or cabbage before so I started learning lots of new stuff, new seasoning extended my palette, I learnt how to budget for meals and buy decent food. It massively opened my eyes about what I’m willing to eat. Really opened my eyes to being a chef and working in a kitchen. I’ve not felt this passionate about something ever before in my life. This is something I feel is really for me and I want to do it for myself.”
After graduating from our programme, we supported Callum in joining Square Food Foundation’s 12-week How to Be A Chef course, which he’s now actively pursuing. He also cooks for MAZI’s supper clubs and corporate events, and has secured a role at one of our partner restaurants, where he’ll receive ongoing mentoring from MAZI — helping him build skills, confidence, and financial independence.
Sarah: “I came to Bristol just over a year ago from Afghanistan with my parents and 3 sisters. I found it very hard. My English was poor and I felt depressed. When I am in the kitchen I feel very relaxed, my brain and my body are relaxed. I have realised that when I am not cooking my day can be bad, I think a lot and get depressed. I cook a lot at home and my dream is to open an Afghan/English restaurant where we can share food from our cultures. Last week I cooked a meal for 16 for a family celebration. It made me very happy. I hope I can continue to work with MAZI to develop my skills.”
Sarah graduated from our Nourishing Confidence course in December last year and has since volunteered as an assistant for our young asylum seeker classes, completed a Barista Foundation class and supports the MAZI for ad hoc events - creating opportunities to integrate and build skills to help her open her own restaurant.
What is the lasting social impact?
For every £1 donated to The MAZI Project, we have evidenced our ability to generate:
- £2.76 in food security
- £0.84 in health system savings
- £1.63 in educational attainment benefits
Your donation is also environmentally friendly. Since our inception in 2021, we have saved 52.5 tonnes of C02 emissions through local food sourcing.
Who else do you support when you support MAZI?
Additionally, as an organisation, we support over 20 different charities with our services, meaning when you support MAZI you are ensuring our partner charities like 1625 Independent People, Caring in Bristol, Migrateful and more can continue their support for their own beneficiaries!
Our kitchen is also home to some brilliant local organisations who hire our community kitchen weekly to support their communities.
‘Using the MAZI Project Community Kitchen for our cooking classes has allowed us the opportunity to offer our food club members a group learning environment, social connections and new life skills as well as directly supporting tenancy maintenance through reducing food waste and learning new ways to cook and eat.
Some of our participants had not accessed a learning environment for a long time so the practical life skills-based nature of the course has been a great success. Thank you MAZI Project for the perfect environment to run our cooking classes’. Cara, Food Project Coordinator from Caring in Bristol
How will we spend £25,000?
£20,000 - The running of four Nourishing Confidence Programmes to help young people eat better and have access to employment opportunities to promote financial independence.
£5,000 - On our aMAZIng meal kit service that will cover the packaging and ingredients for: 333 meal kits and 2000 meals!!
Let's unite the city in support of marginalised young people's mental health — giving them the ingredients, confidence, and skills to thrive.
It's May for MAZI and we hope you can join our aMAZIng community and support us today!