ARMR Store is one of our key Partners and central hubs for our Food Parcel Operations in the Ardwick and Longsight Mutual Aid Group. ARMR have been there from the very start of the Covid-19 pandemic supporting the surrounding communities every way they possibly could. It is local businesses like ARMR that have been an incredible pillar to lean on and we are very proud to have their support and partnership. We recently caught up with Raphale the owner who is a very humble, busy man and hard to track down. We are excited to finally share ARMR's story...
About ARMR Store...
Raphale owns ARMR Store, a community focused health store based in Ardwick, Manchester which opened in 2019. The store is plant based and sells vegetarian and vegan goods, as well as ethically made hair and skin care products. Raph also creates delicious, fresh, plant based, Afro-Caribbean food to buy in store such as jackfruit wings as well as smoothies and dairy free coffees. The store has a strong community focus and has a mini art/book section and a community space that doubles up as a gym. The community space is also used for exercise, wellbeing classes, live music sessions, seminars and much more.
Raphale at ARMR Store
Raph and the fantastic ARMR team in action
(Click on pics to view more)
Did you know.... that ARMR is an acronym for Raph and his brothers.
Andrew, Raphale, Micah and Remee
How ARMR Store got involved with Ardwick and Longsight Mutual Aid Group...
During the lockdown some of the activities at ARMR had to stop but the store has been open for locals to purchase goods and in store Caribbean food leaving the community space available. Councillor Amna of Ardwick has been a key player at pulling people in to help during the Covid Pandemic and Amna and Raph discussed using the space at ARMR store for storing emergency food and made it happen.
Whilst supporting Ardwick and Longsight Mutual Aid Group...
The mutual aid group found that there was a need to cook for 15 homeless people put up in a nearby hotel. ARMR was the first to step up and provided food for these people every night for the first 2 weeks of lock down before other volunteers and providers were able to share some of the load.
ARMR's community space has acted as one of the main food store/banks which has turned out to be a vital part of the mutual aid group's operations. ARMR received funding from Forever Manchester to help with the food bank and also to provide hot healthy meals for those in need.
Highlight of working with Ardwick and Longsight Mutual Aid group...
"There are quite a few highlights as it's been great seeing the volunteers working away in the community space of the store and going the extra mile to help others."
Our Volunteers using ARMR's community space to pack food parcels and deliver to local residents in need.
The importance of Partnerships...
"We believe in a well known Jamaican proverb, as the saying goes.... "One han’ cyaan clap" (One hand cannot clap) Which means you need two hands to make it clap and you have to work together to achieve the same outcome."
ARMR thanking NHS staff with their fresh free smoothies
Donations from locals, businesses and organisations such as Fare Share - Thank you!
ARMR even kindly donated to the gofundme page which is set up to help with purchasing food to support families and individuals in need via Ardwick and Longsight Mutual Aid Group.
ARMR Community Services...
Raph wanted to ensure that vulnerable people or people isolating still have a healthy diet which is important especially during these difficult times. So after receiving some funding via Forever Manchester, they set up a service delivering free hot plant-based meals to residents in need across multiple communities in Manchester. They have a really good relationship with Brunswick Church who lend out their kitchen for cooking their Afro Caribbean style food.
There is also a collection service called Brunswick Beestro where local residents in need can come and collect nutritious food from Brunswick Church during the week. This service is a partnership between Brunswick Beestro, Feed my City and ARMR. Another successful example of how wonderful and effective partnerships can be.
Hot meals are provided each week which are prepared and delivered by Raph, the ARMR team and Volunteers.
Brunswick Beestro open for collections between 1pm and 2pm (Rear entrance via the car park)
ARMR deliveries are Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday between 2pm and 6pm (Upon referral requests)
Please note: ARMR are only accepting referrals from Primary and Secondary Care Providers along with Voluntary, Community Sector and Housing Provider Organisations.
(This is not a self-referral service)
For more information or a copy of the referral form please email hello@armrstore.co.uk
Future plans for ARMR Store...
"As long as there is a need, we are happy to continue providing space and support for the Ardwick and Longsight Mutual Aid Group foodbank operations.
We'll also continue to provide free hot meals to residents across Manchester and eventually we would like to make the hot meals referral form accessible online as this service will be ongoing.
When the time is right, there are also plans to work on the Branding, Aesthetics of the store, kitchen layout, outdoor seating area and further community projects and events, some even focusing on mental health."
ARMR are all about good vibes, healthy lifestyle, motivation, creativity and expression.
To follow ARMR Store's journey, check out below...
Website: https://armrstore.co.uk/
Facebook: ARMR Store
Instagram: @armrstore
Twitter: @armrstore
You can also visit the store...
ARMR Store
2 Polygon St
Manchester
M13 9SG
Opening times:
Monday to Saturday
11am - 4pm
#supportlocalbusinesses
o is happy to invest in their own wellbeing.
ARMR Thank you to Raphale and the hardworking team at ARMR Store
for supporting multiple communities across Manchester
especially Ardwick, Longsight and West Gorton.
Thank you for providing a comfortable space where people can come together, connect, be healthy, express themselves, be creative and most of all help others.
Your ethos, care for others, versatility, flexibility and forward thinking has given so much joy to people's lives.
Thank you from everyone at Ardwick and Longsight Mutual Aid Group, we are very grateful for all that you do.
To anyone wanting to get involved and volunteer or partner at Ardwick and Longsight Mutual Aid Group, please email Laura.Cassidy@gmmh.nhs.uk
Twitter: @AandLmutual_aid
Facebook: Ardwick And Longsight Covid Mutual Aid Group
#ardwickandlongsightmutuailaidgroup #AandLmutual_aid #supportlocalbusinesses health product store and community space perfect for health conscious individual who is happy to invest in their own wellbeing.
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