GAIL's Bakery Reading

We are a homelessness charity in the heart of Reading providing food, toiletries and even pet food but just as importantly, time, respect and empathy to those in need within our local community. We run on the kindness of donations and an amazing volunteering team, and are always on the look out for both! Opening 6 days a week, we are able to offer two All Day Cafes, a hot evening meal, Saturday breakfast cafe and 3 community fridge sessions. We are becoming busier and busier - estimating to make over 1000 cups of hot drinks a week, our basic provisions bill can be pretty high! Bagfuls of much needed toiletries are also given out once per month to each guest - this represents a cost to us of over £500 every 4 weeks. We know we make a positive difference to those we serve - following a recent survey at New Beginnings, our guests told us they were massively appreciative and grateful for all we are able offer. As times are getting tougher for so many, we at New Beginnings look to make life a little easier with not only provisions, a shower and laundry facilities but with compassion and kindness whilst ensuring our guests dignity and respect at all times. We would be hugely grateful if you would look to give us your support and we are so very grateful to Lidl for this amazing opportunity! Our fantastic team of volunteers are the backbone to New Beginnings and with the opportunity for such an amazing grant, we know we can continue to make such a positive impact on so many lives. Thank you so much!

The Globe Luncheon Club, is a service of care and hospitality to the BAME Elderly in Reading. It offers a safe and nurturing environment, supporting the health needs of the Elderly in the Community. The Globe Luncheon Club provides hot and nutritious meals for the Elderly every Tuesday between 12:30 and 3pm.. There are also activities to motivate participants to live engaged, alert and physically active lives. There is an on-going exercise programme run by " Get Berkshire Active", geared towards Prevention of Falls and Mobility. Attendees help with Menu planning, and to a great extent organise activities. Emphasis is on assertiveness, independence and empowerment. Games for Brains - games for varied interests and abilities, encompassing computer games, trivia, puzzles, chess, chequers and much more. Reading and studying the book of a local author began on 10.1.2017. This will be a monthly feature, lasting 20 minutes per session Short talks on Nutrition and the Ageing process, story-telling, and a twice-monthly Quiz are on -going events A Variety Concert organised by attendees to be held at Easter and Christmas. Excursions to neighbouring places of interest and to the seaside with other Community groups.

Food Rescue Group, Uxbridge takes a practical, community-led approach to tackling food waste and promoting sustainable living across the town. As communities face growing challenges from climate change, dwindling resources, and ecological disruption, this initiative is both urgent and essential. A core focus of our work is addressing food waste, a major issue that leads to the unnecessary loss of valuable resources and contributes significantly to methane emissions from landfill. Tackling this challenge is both an environmental necessity and a moral responsibility, as redistributing surplus food can provide vital support to local families and individuals. We work closely with local producers and retailers to ensure surplus food is put to good use rather than wasted. These partnerships help businesses reduce disposal costs while delivering measurable environmental benefits for the wider community. The initiative is powered by dedicated local volunteers, including community members and university students, who collect and redistribute surplus food shortly after it becomes available. This rapid turnaround helps maintain freshness, removes the need for storage, and supports the highest standards of food safety and quality. Every item is carefully inspected, and any unsuitable food is disposed of responsibly to minimise environmental impact. Pickup and distribution in Uxbridge are coordinated by Richard Purpura and Norberto Natividad, who work closely with the volunteer network to ensure collections run smoothly and deliveries reach those who need them most. Their hands-on leadership keeps operations efficient, responsive, and firmly community-focused. Coordination is managed through a dedicated WhatsApp group, providing real-time updates on collection schedules, locations, and available quantities. This efficient communication enables quick responses and effective day-to-day operations. By launching this initiative in Uxbridge, the Food Rescue Group is diverting significant quantities of food from landfill, reducing methane emissions, conserving valuable resources, and strengthening community connections. As the group continues to refine its approach and expand local engagement, it is making meaningful progress towards a more sustainable and inclusive future. Join us in Uxbridge and help make a difference, one meal, one volunteer, and one community at a time.