M&S Cambridge

Promoting understanding and education of all aspects of brain injury and all neuro conditions and providing information, support and services to acquired brain injury survivors, their families and carers in Suffolk and Norfolk.

The Edge Café is a community café with a recovery heart; our aim is to provide individuals in recovery from substance misuse a safe and supportive space to meet, connect, develop skills, rebuild lost confidence and generate opportunities for positive change. We provide a visible demonstration of the possibility of recovery from substance misuse and addiction, as the people running the café are all in recovery themselves. We provide a range of arts workshops and wellbeing groups including Mindfulness and Meditation, Pilates and Yoga. Coupled with the work experience and employment we are giving people in recovery, we aim to fill the gap between treatment and becoming employed, productive and empowered citizens. The majority of the volunteers running these workshops are also in recovery. The Edge has also hosted Cambridge's only Community Fridge since 25 September 2017, since then, over 500kg of food that would otherwise have been wasted has been donated to the fridge. Recent research suggests that 61% of the food thrown away in the UK is avoidable and could be eaten if creative ways of sharing are found. The Community Fridge is an attempt to address this issue on a local scale. Anyone can put usable but unwanted food in the fridge, or take it out. The fridge is monitored to make sure nothing is kept past its use-by date. One simply weighs the food and record the exchange.

The Food Rescue Group, Cambridge is supported by a dedicated team of volunteers from the University of Cambridge, local colleges, and the wider community. Together, they share a commitment to environmental sustainability, responsible resource use, and supporting those in need within their city. Food waste presents an urgent global and local challenge. Around one third of all food produced worldwide is wasted, and when this surplus ends up in landfill it generates methane, a greenhouse gas far more potent than carbon dioxide. Reducing food waste is therefore both an environmental necessity and a social responsibility, as rescued food can play a meaningful role in supporting households facing food insecurity. The group works in close partnership with local producers, independent retailers, and supermarkets to rescue surplus food before it is discarded. These collaborations create shared benefits by reducing disposal costs for businesses, minimising environmental impact, and ensuring nutritious food reaches people and community groups across Cambridge. Operations are designed around efficiency, care, and food quality. Surplus food is collected and redistributed within 15 minutes of pickup, ensuring freshness while eliminating the need for storage. This rapid turnaround also helps reduce emissions associated with refrigeration and extended supply chains. Food safety is central to all activities. Volunteers are trained to inspect food immediately upon collection to ensure it meets strict safety standards. Any items deemed unsuitable are disposed of responsibly to prevent environmental harm. Coordination is managed through a dedicated WhatsApp group, allowing volunteers to receive real-time updates and respond quickly and effectively to collections. The impact of the initiative in Cambridge is both environmental and social. Each kilogram of food rescued avoids landfill-related emissions while supporting households and community organisations. Beyond the food itself, the initiative strengthens local connections, fosters shared responsibility, and contributes to a more resilient and sustainable community. Since its launch, the Cambridge Food Rescue Group has diverted significant quantities of food from landfill, reduced greenhouse gas emissions, conserved valuable resources, and brought people together around a shared purpose. Change happens one meal, one volunteer, and one community at a time, and Cambridge continues to play an important role in that change.