ALDI STRATFORD-UPON-AVON

Alcester Community Fridge is based in the grounds of Alcester Baptist Church. Six days a week we open our doors to anyone who wishes to come and help themselves to good food that otherwise would have ended up in landfill. We strongly believe in stopping good food going to waste, supporting the needs of the community, and helping to make a difference. We work with local supermarkets and food producers and have a team of volunteers who give up their time to help make this happen.

The project was started by two Parish Councils - Marston Sicca and Quinton (although it’s now under Marston Sicca only) along with volunteers from surrounding villages including Welford on Avon. The main objectives were to support individuals and families who were struggling to support themselves (fuelled by Covid 19) . This encompassed three main areas of focus: 1)To ensure sufficient food was available for the most vulnerable 2)To help individuals who were struggling with isolation 3)To create assistance to families who required additional support (education, counselling etc.,) Despite there being government led initiatives, we found local problems to be diverse including delays to benefits and other related issues. By bringing specific local help, the project organisers looked to tackle basic needs and to create community initiatives. The supply of food is by far the largest element within our community led programme The food welfare programme is managed by the Parish Council The Pavilion is a community centre and hosts a food share programme but also a subsidised café, and learning support. It provides employment for those with leaning difficulties and also meeting clubs for the vulnerable (including our Parkinsons Club). We ensure all food related support schemes are managed with strict controls with a dedicated space and fridges for food surplus.

The Fred Winter Centre is a multi-disciplinary community hub, aiming to tackle hardship by providing a range of services to help people to improve their health and wellbeing, overcome financial problems, secure job opportunities and sustain tenancies in local affordable homes. There are also 15 self-contained apartments on site, designed to a high specification. With a range of services and support on-site, the apartments give residents the best opportunity to succeed. Located in the heart of Stratford-upon-Avon town centre the project is supported by a number of charities, businesses and public bodies. All referrals are received via Stratford District Council. A tactical group, chaired by SDC, discuss potential nominations when an apartment becomes available. Before a formal referral goes to Spring, a suitability assessment takes place, with input from professionals from a range of backgrounds, including; housing, support, health, recovery, probation, community safety and the police. We provide a range of wellbeing activities for our client group including Breakfast Club, Garden Club, Arts and Crafts, IT support and regular social events all of which are free of charge and open to all. In addition we offer shower and laundry facilities, again free to use for any vulnerable clients in the community. We also have an on-site community cafe offering low-cost food and drink to the whole community. There is an element of social impact incorporated into the cafe, for example our Pay it Forward scheme which allows customers to donate items of food and drink to those who are in need. For more information, please see our Fred's Cafe Neighbourly Page. We are currently supported by daily food donations from Pret a Manger and the Cornish Bakery which are available to our clients at no cost on a daily basis. ny thanks