Sainsbury's Stamford

Second Helpings Stamford is a community food redistribution charity that tackles food waste while supporting people experiencing food insecurity and financial hardship across Stamford and the surrounding area. We collect surplus food from supermarkets, manufacturers and local businesses, ensuring good food is not wasted but instead reaches those who need it most. Through our pantry, community café, food support programmes and partnerships with local organisations, we help individuals and families access affordable food, reduce social isolation and improve wellbeing. We also provide volunteering opportunities that help people build confidence, skills and connections within their community. The support we need most is access to surplus food, which enables us to continue meeting increasing demand and supporting more people. We also welcome volunteers to help with food collection, sorting, distribution and community activities

A Feeling of Wellness at Joan Wake Close Joan Wake Close is an Independent Living scheme in Market Deeping, Peterborough, designed especially for people aged 55 and over. The Joan Wake Close Social Club is a group of residents who have come together to supply affordable meals for other residents, arrange and manage wellbeing events and social activities, and to enjoy each other’s company. Chair Chris has experience in applying for funding, as well as the understanding of how to drive such a group forward. Treasurer Sandra has managed a local pub. Between them, and the other residents involved, they are making sure people are fed, feel looked after and cared for, and feel part of a local community. The group works together to cook meals which are available and affordable for other residents, who pay a donation which suits their budget. The club is very popular and has been certified by Fareshare (Tesco) and Neighbourly (Aldi, Sainsbury’s, Lidl and M&S Food Stores). This gives the club access to food and other goods which can no longer be sold in supermarkets. In the club’s first 39 weeks, members have provided more than 1250 hot meals, and saved 10,000.0kg of food which was destined for the disposal. Each month, the club hosts a brunch which has been very well supported by residents and their families. Each Friday, members hold a coffee morning. The local Tesco community champion joins to help serve the treats on offer. It just goes to show what a big impact a small story can have. Tesco and Fareshare are working on a case study to show how well the club has done, and the club itself is in with a chance of receiving an additional grant from Tesco, (decided by a public vote), from 1st April to 30th June. Chair Chris tells us “We are always looking at new, innovative and fresh ways of supporting our small community. One of our main aims was to cook balanced and affordable meals for any resident of Joan Wake Close, and we are doing that, but it’s about more than just a meal, we are helping residents feel as if they belong. Our scheme has been a lifeline to many in the Deepings community and from further afield in the 40 years it has been here. Our lovely communal room and full fitted kitchen gives us the means to try and give something back to our local community.” Housing association Accent Housing, which owns and manage Joan Wake Close, is extremely proud of the group’s efforts. A spokesperson said: “Their hard work and success in getting this initiative off the ground is amazing and it has helped to make Joan Wake Close a happier, healthier, cleaner and greener environment for everyone.”

Hearing Dogs for Deaf People receives no government funding and relies totally on the support and generosity of companies such as Marks & Spencer. We begin working with puppies of a number of breeds from eight weeks old. Volunteers take our clever pups into their homes and act rather like foster carers teaching them about life in the home and bigger world. Basic sound work begins too. Puppies learn to alert to cooker timers and will nudge to make their socialiser aware. They also attend weekly classes with fellow puppies. Many of our puppies stay with their socialisers to complete their sound work training. We also begin the process of finding the right Deaf person for specific dogs. Once training and a match has happened Dog and deaf person begin a partnership that will last 10 years or more. Throughout this time the partnership receives regular support from the Charity. Once a dog is fully trained it is awarded with the burgundy jacket that identifies that the dog is a fully accredited Hearing Dog that has access to all public places. Our Hearing Dogs provide a deaf person with life changing confidence, companionship and independence.