Maki & Ramen Supports Instant Neighbour

Who Instant Neighbour Are

For nearly 40 years, Instant Neighbour have been helping to alleviate poverty and improve lives in Aberdeen. They offer essential, practical support, targeting people facing long-term unemployment, mental health challenges, or social exclusion. Whether it’s assisting someone to furnish a home, helping them access decent food, or giving them a path back into work — they cover all these bases and more.

What They Do

Here’s how Instant Neighbour is making a difference:

• Practical support for home
  Instant Neighbour makes sure people on low income can set up, or settle in, safely and comfortably. They provide food parcels, low-cost household goods, and good quality reused furniture.

• Social enterprises with purpose
  Their social enterprises, Joinerinc and Carpetinc, offer professional services (joinery, carpet work, etc.) while also training, employing, and empowering people who’ve been excluded from traditional work routes.

• Volunteering & Employability
  For many, returning to work after long-term unemployment or experiencing mental health challenges can be a steep hill. Instant Neighbour offers supported employability programmes that help people build confidence, form new skills, and reconnect with work. Volunteers also play a vital role — contributing time, skills, and heart.

Why This Partnership Matters

We believe every person deserves dignity, opportunity, and a place to call home. By partnering with Instant Neighbour, Maki & Ramen is helping to:

• Reduce poverty in Aberdeen City and Shire

• Support mental health and well-being through community, inclusion, and purpose

• Tackle long-term unemployment and help people reengage with meaningful activity

• Reuse and recycle goods — reducing waste and promoting sustainability

How You Can Help

You can be part of transforming lives too — no matter how big or small your contribution:

• Shop with purpose – When you purchase services or goods from Joinerinc, Carpetinc, or shop at their outlets, you’re supporting their mission. Your purchase helps sustain the charity’s social enterprises and their community work.

• Donate furniture or household goods – If you have furniture, carpets, or other household items you no longer need (in good condition), Instant Neighbour can put them to good use.

• Volunteer – Lend your time, skills, or energy. From helping in their shops, workshops, or supporting programs — your involvement makes a huge difference.

• Support through Maki & Ramen – Whenever you dine with us at our Aberdeen venue on Mondays between 4-8pm, a part of what you spend will go directly to Instant Neighbour.

What Your Support Will Achieve

When you help Instant Neighbour, here’s what you’re doing:

• Ensuring that a family on a tight budget can set up home with dignity, without compromising on safety or comfort.

• Giving someone the confidence and tools to re-enter work, after a period of unemployment or isolation.

• Supporting mental health by building connection, purpose, and possibility.

• Reducing environmental waste by reusing and recycling household goods.

Join Us in Partnering for Change

You don’t need to do anything fancy to make a difference. Here’s how:

• Visit Instant Neighbour’s website to learn more and sign up to donate or volunteer: instantneighbour.co.uk

• Keep an eye on special [Client Name] events / promotions that raise funds for Instant Neighbour.

• Spread the word — share their stories, support their message, help others see the impact.

Together, we can help people in Aberdeen set up homes, regain confidence, and step into a better tomorrow.