Lidl Northwich

Changing Lives together look to find Innovative Solutions for Environmental and Social Challenges which Benefit our Local Communities. What we do: Community Groceries Bulky waste Reuse and Recycling Community Transport Help Scheme Retail and online Stores

The Very Green Grocery is a project managed by the charity Changing Lives Together (CLT) in Cheshire, focused on making a difference in the lives of local people and having an impact on the wider environment Our organisation empowers and uplifts people in crisis through the following key services: ·       Help Scheme: Providing furniture, beds, and white goods to families in need. ·       Food Distribution Service: Delivering food to local food groups for those struggling to afford essential grocery items. ·       Community Groceries: Offering affordable essentials, warm spaces, and a supportive network to individuals facing food poverty. ·       Community Cafés: Serving a variety of food at exceptionally low prices, in warm spaces, for individuals and families with low income. We are squarely centered on empowering people - helping them regain confidence, learn valuable skills, and regain control of their lives. Our vision is to energise individuals to succeed. Through our volunteering, work experience, and training schemes, we offer personalised support that builds confidence and self-esteem. Our community is diverse, and we reach out to anyone needing help - from young people, individuals with disabilities, and unemployed or unskilled persons, to ex-offenders, or those recovering from mental health episodes. In essence, CLT aids those who need assistance to get back on track. We work extensively across Cheshire in areas ranked in the top 10% most deprived areas in England where data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), shows that 19.1% of households – almost one in five - qualify as deprived and live in food poverty. One of our newest additions is a café at our Winsford Hub. Operating in a high-deprivation area, we aim to improve holistic health for our staff, volunteers, and customers. An integral part of the café is in providing our volunteers with a free nutritious meal, providing them sustenance among the socio-economic barriers they face. The café functions under the guidance of a paid staff member who imparts the volunteers' knowledge not just about food preparation, but also customer service and cash handling practices, health, safety, food hygiene, and budgeting. We have expanded our services to take orders from local workplaces and look forward to receiving more food donations that we can utilise to serve wholesome meals. Join us as we continue to foster a resilient community, empowering individuals, and reducing waste through your kind food donations.

Northwich Community Support operate a no food waste initiative with the option to provide additional support to those who may need it. The mix of people who visit is diverse. For some it helps prop up their finances. For others it’s a way to be greener. Less food waste = less landfill. We are staffed entirely by amazing but unpaid volunteers. Its something I’m proud to be part of and I consider volunteers and visitors to each hub to be part of our growing community of mutual support. We currently operate 3 weekly hubs in separate locations where donated food items are distributed to the community.