Sainsbury's Milton Keynes Granville Sq Local

MK Community Fridge began as two fridges and one freezer located in the foyer of The Old Bath House Community Centre, Stratford Road, Wolverton. The project was launched on Saturday 1 July 2017 and to date it has shared more than 500 tons of food with the people of Milton Keynes The network of community fridges in Milton Keynes is growing and they can be found in Coffee Hall, Netherfield, Great Linford, Conniburrow Wolverton and Westcroft - www.mkcommunityfridge.org The community fridge project has inspired a pop-up cafe, surplus supper events and craft sharing sessions all which encourage communities to bond and share resources that might otherwise be wasted. In February 2021 we piloted a new project with Hubbub Foundation UK that uses electric vehicles and paid riders to collect food on behalf of community fridges in Milton Keynes. Our hope is that this increases the amount of food that we can stop from being wasted and further lower our impact on the environment. It will also help our community fridges to support their projects, volunteers and lower costs for their venues - www.foodconnect.io ‘Yes, the fridge has impacted our household. It's a great lesson for the kids in sharing and not wasting and has enforced the already well established community feel in Wolverton’ – Fridge user ‘My husband was signed off work and we couldn't afford much food we have a 1 year old so fresh food is very important to us and we were able to feed ourselves thanks to the community fridge. It definitely shows people care and gives a lovely sense of community.’ – Fridge user 'I’m so pleased that the pumpkins have been of use. I get fun growing them, and its better still when the vegetables end up being eaten and enjoyed.' – Tim, Local Farmer

Age UK Milton Keynes is a local independent charity working with and for older people in the borough of Milton Keynes to make a real and positive difference that contributes to their wellbeing and quality of life.

The One Love Luncheon Club focuses on supporting retired community, especially but not limited to the Black elderly and vulnerable adults within the ethnic minority community, providing culturally relevant meals and programs to enhance well-being and connection. Through strong community partnerships, we ensure these individuals receive the care, support, and sense of belonging they deserve. The ONE LOVE LUNCHEON CLUB is dedicated to fostering social inclusion, cultural exchange, and community engagement. We aim to create a safe, welcoming, and inclusive space where individuals from all cultures, particularly black communities, can socialize, share experiences, and combat isolation. Our club celebrates diversity, promotes understanding, and strengthens the bonds within the community through shared activities, meals, and meaningful interactions. We have partnered with Wolverton parish council and Asda Supermarket, which has allocated a staff member who is the community champion to help volunteer for us. We may get additional foods from them, but nothing has been arranged as yet. We have partnered with Jerknrum, Annie’s, AgeUK, Alzheimer’s Society and Milton Keynes Council Research tells me the service users who used to attend something similar to my project and now have nowhere else to go. I have collaborated with MK Council( head of older people and the commissioning board), who have also confirmed, there is nothing out there for the BAME elders. I am my mum's main carer with dementia and I did not find anything where my mum plus her peers have that sense of belonging, share cultural stories and can reminisce about the old times. Our club will officially launch on Tuesday 15th April. We will offer transport with Mk Connect for the elderly to attend, we will offer food delivery service for the service users unable to attend Activities like arts and crafts, board games, bingo, support by sitting and chatting. Additional support from Alzheimer’s and Age UK who I also have partnered with to offer resources and support for the elders who need it!! Physical support will also be offered in terms of chair yoga and getting those up who can manage some dancing to traditional music. Any surplus food collected by One Love Luncheon Club will be used to maximize support for the elderly in our community. It will be repurposed to create additional meals, ensuring variety and nourishment for our members. Additionally, surplus food will be packaged and given to the elderly to take home, helping them access nutritious meals beyond our gatherings. This approach reduces food waste while providing continued support to those who may struggle with meal preparation. Our goal is to ensure that no food goes unused and that our elders always have access to good, wholesome meals. We officially start on the 15th April so I can only supply you with flyers and brochures. I am currently working on getting press to our grand opening, but none at the moment.