M&S Inverurie

Our aim is to support people in our local community in practical, emotional and spiritual ways, to offer support when it is needed, to help with practical tasks for those who are unable, either long term or short term, to manage by themselves, to extend friendship and company for those living alone, to support the bereaved and those suffering through illness and to provide a place to meet and socialise in groups or as individuals wishing to meet others in the same situation. Our foodbank serves members of the community without discrimination.

We provide catering training, employment experience and employment placements to over 20 adults with learning disabilities. Each trainee is provided with a personalised training programme which leads to a Fly Cup Catering Certificate. Many trainees are able to work towards completing food and hospitality NVQ units. Trainees gain work experience by helping to run the Fly Cup Coffee shop at Burghmuir Circle, Inverurie. The trainees are also involved in the delivery of outside catering services, and the production of bakery goods which we supply to local shops and businesses. We work closely with other catering establishments in the area in the development of temporary work placements for the trainees.

Inverurie Community Partnership (SC0 52759) opened its doors on Monday 3rd September 2023. ICP comprises a food bank (operating on a pantry model) and a free Advice and Information Service. The food pantry offers a wide range of products. We have fresh fruit and vegetables, packeted and tinned goods, bread and bakery products, milk and dairy products, frozen food and chilled goods. We also offer hygiene products, baby products and pet products too. We operate on a membership basis, where for a £5 annual membership those looking to use our products can sign up subsequently using their membership number to sign in to our pantry which is situated in the heart of Inverurie, Aberdeenshire. We are open Mondays and Tuesdays from 10:30am to 3pm and Thursdays and Fridays from 10:30am to 12:30pm. We are an organisation completely run by volunteers, many of whom take great pride in being part of our dedicated team. Our stocks come through supermarket waste and, through Neighbourly, we are able to pick up from local supermarkets. As supermarkets are being pushed to reduce their waste, there has been an impact on our stocks so we also receive support, both financially and in donations, from local businesses, groups and individuals. We look to grants and fundraising to fill in the gaps we have in our stocks. We have also forged partnerships with local organisations some of whose employees volunteer with us when they can. We have "Community" at the heart of our name and "Community" is at the heart of all we do. We were proud recipients of the "Pride of Inverurie" Awards in the Community Champion category a mere 11 months in to opening our doors in august 2024.. The community have very much taken us to their hearts and we often collaborate on such projects as local Scout groups (Beavers and Rainbows) doing service badges with us or local school children visiting to see our services and find out more about poverty alleviation. We support a food trolley at a local primary school and also give to other food banks in the locality. What we have found in our first two years of opening is that we also are cited as combating loneliness and social isolation. Our volunteers endeavour to provide a safe and dignified method of shopping; they take time to engage with our members and they always leave with a smile. Food is only the tip of the range of services we provide. Similarly, our volunteers report increased self esteem and improved mental health through volunteering with ICP. Our Advice and Information Service offers debt advice, help with benefits, assistance with completing digital forms and "financial first aid". This is a free service by appointment only with an advisor with over 20 years in this sector. She consults on a Tuesday and a Thursday. We are very proud of how far we have come since opening in 2023. Membership now stands (October 2025) at over 570.