ALDI WESTHILL

I coordinate the collection and redistribution of surplus stock to sheltered housing residents, ensuring that good-quality food and essential items reach elderly and disabled individuals who benefit most from reduced living costs. By alleviating the financial pressure associated with everyday groceries, this initiative helps residents retain more of their income, directly enhancing their quality of life and overall wellbeing. Beyond the practical support, the programme has played a meaningful role in strengthening community cohesion within housing complexes. Regular redistribution efforts have supported resident-led activities such as coffee mornings, enabling groups to come together, socialise, and collectively raise funds for outings and shared experiences. Donations have also contributed to the improvement of communal outdoor spaces, with residents using supplied plants and materials to beautify their environment. As a result, the initiative has fostered a strong sense of community spirit, pride, and mutual support among residents.

Mamacita Foundation is a Scottish registered charity based in Aberdeen, working to improve lives through the prevention and relief of poverty, the advancement of education and health, and the provision of recreational and wellbeing activities that help people thrive. We also support migrants, refugees, and disadvantaged individuals and families to integrate confidently into their host community. Our work includes practical guidance on employability, housing, and navigating life in the UK, alongside cultural orientation, social connection, family support, and a reliable food bank service for those experiencing hardship. At the heart of what we do is community. With the support and involvement of local people in Aberdeen, we run regular Pop-In Sessions twice a week alongside our food bank, creating safe, welcoming spaces where people from all backgrounds can connect, access support, and build meaningful relationships. These sessions encourage cultural understanding, social cohesion, and mutual support. We believe strong communities are built together, and that nobody should feel alone

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.