Community Story: GOKRSNA Wellbeing CIC

For our second feature profiling a recent recipient of funding from SP Energy Networks’ Community Benefit programme, we’re in Lesmahagow, South Lanarkshire, to find out about a fantastic project from GOKRSNA Wellbeing CIC. Luke Upton caught up with directors Prathap Kumar Kannan and Dr. Nivedita Natarajan about free community meals, wellbeing education and how the Nourish Lesmahagow project is bringing people of all generations together.

Luke Upton (LU): Thanks for your time today, Prathap. To start, could you tell us a little about GOKRSNA Wellbeing CIC and the community you are a part of?

Prathap Kumar Kannan (PK) and Dr. Nivedita Natarajan (NN): We believe that we are what we eat, and that the choices we make today shape the health of our people, our planet and the world we leave for tomorrow’s generations. That belief lies at the heart of GOKRSNA Wellbeing CIC in Lesmahagow, South Lanarkshire. Our purpose is to Nourish, Serve and Sustain.

We believe everyone deserves wholesome food and the warmth of a caring community. Our vegetarian meals are prepared with love, without artificial preservatives, stabilisers or emulsifiers, and we favour local and organic ingredients wherever possible.

Our care extends beyond the plate, through wellbeing education, plant-based food boxes, our ambitions for greener deliveries and the 1,108 trees we have planted so far. Nothing brings us greater happiness than seeing people come together, share a meal and leave smiling, feeling valued, cared for and a little less lonely.

LU: What are you currently focusing on, and what are the main priorities for the organisation at the moment?

PK & NN: We are working towards a community where wholesome food is within everyone’s reach. Our ambition is to provide free, nutritious meals to at least 25 people every day. With the kindness of our supporters and the collective strength of our community, we hope to reach hundreds, and eventually thousands, more.

We believe the foundations of good health are laid in childhood, and that the greatest gift we can give tomorrow’s generation is the knowledge to live well today. Through partnerships with schools, we hope to nurture healthy habits, practical skills and self-sufficiency from an early age. Our workshops help families understand food labels, recognise ingredients and make thoughtful choices for healthier living.

By reducing food waste and embracing circular economy principles, we hope to ease future pressures on the NHS while caring for our planet. Our wish is to empower communities to become self-sufficient, care for one another and live in harmony with nature.

LU: You’ve recently received funding through SP Energy Networks’ Community Benefit programme. Could you tell us more about the project, what the funding will support and what you hope to achieve?

PK & NN: We are deeply grateful to SP Energy Networks for their generous support of our Nourish Lesmahagow: Food for People and Planet project. Their belief in our vision is helping us bring Nourish, Serve and Sustain to life through free, wholesome meals, wellbeing education and activities that encourage care for nature.

Our gatherings welcome all generations, and many older residents find joy in sharing food and conversation. A warm meal can nourish the body, but a little kindness can nourish the heart. Seeing people smile, enjoy one another’s company and leave feeling valued brings us immeasurable happiness.

Through the generosity of this grant funding from SP Energy Networks, we are nurturing something far greater than a shared meal. We are helping to build a community where kindness brings people together, loneliness gives way to companionship and everyone can find the warmth of knowing that someone truly cares. Thank you again! 

LU: How important is grant funding like this to GOKRSNA Wellbeing CIC, and what difference does it make to the work you’re able to deliver in the community?

PK & NN: For us, grant funding is far more than financial assistance. It is an investment in the health of our communities, the wellbeing of future generations and our shared responsibility towards the planet. When generosity meets a shared purpose, compassion becomes action, and communities discover what they can achieve together.

Every contribution helps us prepare nourishing meals, offer meaningful learning opportunities and welcome more people into activities that enrich their lives. The support of SP Energy Networks and the team at Localgiving enables us to plan with confidence, uphold the quality of our work and make these opportunities freely accessible to those who need them.

We cherish the trust placed in us and the responsibility that comes with it. Our heartfelt gratitude is best expressed through our actions: in every meal lovingly prepared, every hand extended in kindness and every happier tomorrow we help create together.

LU: Brilliant. Beyond financial support, what do you think would make the biggest difference to your organisation and the communities you support?

PK & NN: A community becomes stronger when people come together, share what they have and discover the joy of making a difference in one another’s lives. So beyond funding, what would make the greatest difference is the kindness, time and talents people are willing to share. Dedicated volunteers, supportive local partnerships and opportunities to work with schools would help us reach more people and inspire lasting change.

Our greatest wish is to nurture a community where everyone feels they belong and takes pride in caring for the place they call home. Together, we hope to help Lesmahagow become more self-sufficient by embracing renewable energy, sharing resources and making sustainable living a natural part of everyday life. Our hope is that the kindness we share today will take root in the hearts of future generations, leaving them a community they cherish and a world they feel proud to protect.

LU: And finally, is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers, such as upcoming projects, events, achievements or other ways people can get involved?

PK & NN: Since we were established in September 2025, we have provided 1,008 free meals. Our recent community activities have recorded 174 attendances, and we’ve shared over 300 free takeaway food portions with families and loved ones. Seeing different generations come together brings us immense joy.

We were deeply honoured to receive the Business Award 2025 at Queen Elizabeth House in Edinburgh, during a celebration held in collaboration with the Scottish Parliament.

We warmly invite everyone to our free Food for People & Planet event on 7th November at Fountain Hall, Lesmahagow. It will feature a screening of The People’s Emergency Briefing, wholesome vegetarian food and sustainable living activities. You can find out more and book here. 

Our heartfelt thanks go to SP Energy Networks and Localgiving for making this meaningful journey possible and helping us make a lasting impact on so many lives, with many more yet to reach. Their support has brought our vision closer to reality. If you want to go far, walk together, because the greatest achievements are those we share. We sincerely hope to continue this wonderful partnership, working hand in hand towards a healthier, happier and greener future for generations to come.

LU: Wonderful, thanks both for the insights into such a wonderful project with such great ambition! 

---> To find out more about the SP Energy Networks' Community Benefit programme and how it could help support your organisation or community, click here. 

---> Learn more about the work of GOKRSNA Wellbeing CIC here. 

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