Sainsbury's Romiley Local

In 2013 it was noticed that there was a huge increase in the number of individuals and families accessing food banks in Stockport. We wanted to find a way to help before they reached the crisis point of needing emergency food parcels. This where we came up with the idea for Your Local Pantry. Penny Lane Pantry was launched in August 2013. with 150 memberships available. Members pay a small, weekly subscription fee of £2.50 and in return members can select at least 10 items from the pantry's shelves - often worth in excess of £15.00 at retail. The pantry stocks a wide range of goods including fresh fruit and vegetables, chilled and frozen, toiletries and all the usual store cupboard favourites. However, the pantry is more than just about food,. We offer local residents the opportunity to volunteer in the shop helping them to build confidence, gain new skills and attend training. 10 people have moved on to full time, paid employment thanks to the support the pantry offers. The pantry holds cookery courses and demonstrations encouraging people to try new things and cook their own recipes from scratch, using all the ingredients from the pantry. The pantry has proved so successful we know how 4 shops across Stockport, supporting over 600 members and staffed by 35 volunteers.

The Cherry Tree Project is a youth-led Community Interest Group serving Romiley and the surrounding areas. We are dedicated to building a stronger, more connected community by supporting people of all ages through a range of practical and inclusive initiatives. Our work includes youth groups, holiday programmes, food bank provision, social isolation groups, and a school uniform recycling project. While our activities continue to grow and evolve in response to local need, our core mission remains the same: creating opportunities for people to connect, belong, and thrive. We are particularly passionate about addressing food insecurity in a variety of ways. Alongside providing practical support, we recognise that loneliness, isolation, and lack of community can have a significant impact on wellbeing. For this reason, much of our work centres around bringing people together. Whether through shared meals, community events, youth activities, or support groups, we create welcoming spaces where people can sit around a table, share food, build relationships, and access support with dignity. At The Cherry Tree Project, we believe that strong communities are built through meaningful connections. By listening to local people and responding to emerging needs, we continue to develop projects that strengthen community resilience, reduce isolation, and ensure that everyone feels valued and included.

At Oasis Community Hub: Aspinal, we aim to provide support to people in the community offering a safe space and friendly ear. We aim to use our links within the community to steer people in the right direction if help is needed. We are currently looking for uniform and food donations for our Uniform Shop and Food Bank.