Community spirit and the power of pulling together at a time when it’s needed most has never been more prevalent than during these few months and no one has proved that more than Mama Flo.
Stockport residents have been showing support in the hundreds on social media over the past few months for a “hero of the community” who has been feeding the borough throughout lockdown.
Mama Flo, of the popular and much-loved Caribbean restaurant Mama Flo’s on Buxton Road in Stockport, has been cooking hundreds of meals to offer to NHS staff, critical carers, essential/key workers and the most vulnerable within her local area to ensure they are well fed during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
A beloved figure in her community, Mama Flo is up everyday from around 4am to begin preparing fresh food.
She has been doing this for no financial gain and has been described as “an absolute inspiration”.
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In the spirit of her mantra ‘be kind and share the love’, Stockport residents have been sure to share their love for Mama Flo on social media.
Facebook / Mama Flo’s
A heartwarming post on Facebook by a local Police Officer, which highlights Mama Flo’s selfless efforts, has garnered much public response and has amassed thousands of likes, comments and shares over recent weeks. It reads: “This is Mama Flo. Those of you who know Stockport know…or should know that she has her Jamaican restaurant ‘Mama Flo’s’ on Buxton Road.”
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“Flo is up around 4am every day preparing food for her shop, and feeds the local community. Over the past few weeks since lockdown, Flo has not stopped. She’s fed Police Officers and Emergency service staff for free…without being asked.”
“Flo has cooked food and fed staff at the MRI at a time of stress and heartache.”
“Flo does not stop and does what she does because she loves people.”
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This is Mama Flo. Those of you who know Stockport know…or should know that she has her Jamaican restaurant 'Mama…
“Today it was nice to take some flowers to her to say thank you from all Police Officers at Stockport who have been helped by her love, generosity and selflessness.”
“If you have never been to sample Flo’s food, you are sorely missing out, she is amazing, go and support her.”
“Flo…you are a hero of your community, and we salute you.”
Other local residents, happy customers and grateful members of the community have also added their support for Mama Flo in the comments of the above post, on her Facebook page and via other similar posts across social media platforms.
Mama Flo has also been sure to keep her community regularly updated via her Facebook page and has often expressed how grateful she is to have received such overwhelmingly positive feedback.
After drawing her ‘Free Food Monday’ initiative to a close at the start of June, she took the time to thank customers in a post that read: “Thank you for your continued support throughout the past three months during the COVID pandemic. It’s been a real pleasure to see the community join together to support one another during what has been such a difficult time.”
“What has been a great 3 months [it has been]. I will especially miss the giving goody bags out for the children and receiving all the beautiful photos they brought for me.”
“Thank you to everyone that has helped me out, spread the word and donated to this amazing cause, but most of all, thank you to all my family that have been there to support me every step of the way.”
“Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
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Hey everyone,Thank you for your continued support throughout the past three months , during the COVID pandemic. It’s…
If you’re local to Stockport and are keen on Caribbean cooking, you can order for delivery and collection from Mama Flo’s on Tuesday-Thursday 12pm-9:30pm and Friday & Saturday 12pm-10pm.
Orders can be placed on Just Eat, Deliveroo, Uber Eats and for collection by calling –
A GoFundMe page has also been set up by local residents to support Mama Flo, say thank you and “give her a little something back”. If you would like to make a contribution, you can do so here.
You can continue to keep up to date with Mama Flo on Facebook here.
News
Arrest made after 14-year-old boy found in critical condition on Market Street
Daisy Jackson
An arrest has been made after a teenage boy was found unresponsive on Market Street in Manchester city centre.
Detectives believe that the boy, 14, was approached by seven males who stole a designer jacket from him.
Following the altercation, he went into cardiac arrest and was rushed to hospital in a critical condition.
Thankfully, the teenager is continuing to recover well.
Detectives from Manchester City Centre Criminal Investigation Department confirmed that an 18-year-old male was arrested yesterday, Thursday 20 February.
He has been arrested on suspicion of robbery and remains in police custody.
Detective Inspector Mark Astbury of GMP’s City Centre Criminal Investigation Department, said: “We hope the victim can continue his recovery following what must have been a terrifying ordeal for him.
“Officers are fully investigating all aspects of this shocking incident that has left a man with serious injuries in hospital.
“Our work doesn’t stop here, we are continuing to investigate this incident and information from the public plays an incredibly important role in our investigations and I ask that the community keep talking to us and keep sharing their concerns with us so our teams can act.”
If you have any information, contact GMP 101 or 0161 856 4305 quoting log 2854 of 16/2/25.
Comedy is being prescribed instead of antidepressants as part of UK trials
Emily Sergeant
Trials are currently underway to see if comedy could be an alternative to antidepressants as a way to reduce NHS costs.
UK tech company Craic Health has secured important funding for its ‘comedy on prescription’ project that’s aimed at helping the Government work with the comedy industry, communities, and organisations on comedy-based social prescriptions in the hope that they can solve financial struggles within the NHS.
The groundbreaking scheme uses stand-up shows and workshops to help people who are isolated, lonely, and vulnerable.
Craic believes comedy is an ‘untapped opportunity’ to improve health and wellbeing, and has a goal to make comedy easier to access, so that it can help communities experience its mental health and social benefits.
To achieve this, the company has started trialling Comedy-on-Prescription experiences in the UK – starting in London, with the potential for expansion – which includes things like curated comedy panel game show events and workshops, and general stand-up comedy shows at some of the capital’s world-famous venues.
Comedy is being prescribed instead of antidepressants as part of UK trials / Credit: Wikimedia Commons
“Mental health issues like loneliness, isolation, and stress are more common than ever,” the company explains.
“So much so that it’s projected that by 2030, mental health problems, particularly depression, will be the leading cause of mortality and morbidity globally, [but] in this challenging world, comedy stands out as a universal language that breaks barriers.
“Research shows that comedy and laughter have powerful effects – they bring people together, create positive connections, and make life more enjoyable.”
Craic Health says that social prescribing, of which Comedy-on-Prescription is a part of, is all about inclusivity, which makes it making it suitable for people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities.
Its focus is on personalised support, tailored to individual needs and preferences.
Emily Sergeant -
16th June 2020 
