Vital community fridge could develop into neighbourhood hub 'vision' for Littleham

Littleham's Community Fridge is 'desperately needed' as the Covid-19 crisis continues – and could develop into a bigger project that draws together different groups and generations.

Exmouth Town Council heard a report from Sam Burnett of The Wave project in Littleham, which runs the fridge, at their meeting on Monday, January 11.

The Community Fridge opened in early November last year, to provide fresh food for anyone who wanted it. People were encouraged to donate any items they weren't going to use, so that someone else could benefit from them. It also receives surplus food from supermarkets.

It gives out milk, cheese, bread, butter, eggs, yoghurts, fruit and vegetables, along with some non-perishable items such as tinned food and dried pasta.

Unlike the food bank, the Community Fridge is not aimed at people in financial difficulties, and is open to everyone, with no need for referrals. But it soon became clear to Sam and his team of volunteers that the fridge was a lifeline for several people who were in real need. There are about 25 regular users, with around 15 of them coming along during any given week.

Sam told the meeting: "Many of them are coming because of a change of circumstances. Some have lost jobs or been furloughed and are not making enough to survive each week. For some, their benefits have changed or they've made a mistake filling in the forms. Whatever it might be, they're in a place where they're feeling pretty desperate."

He said there had been a 'rush' of demand over Christmas, and since then, a further increase in users as the latest lockdown came into force.

"There's a real sense that people don't want to use it," he said. "It feels embarrassing, especially for some of these people who have never needed to have any benefits or support before, so there's a real nervousness, and people not wanting to take too much, which is lovely.

"But we say, 'please take it, if you need it then have it, because it's here for you to use', and people are beginning to feel a bit less anxious."

He said the Community Fridge is continuing to operate during lockdown, although the Covid restrictions mean people can't come in and browse the food on offer. The volunteers have to pass items out to them through the door, to maintain social distancing.

The search for permanent premises for the Community Fridge

Sam said the Community Fridge's current base, at Littleham leisure centre, was always meant to be a temporary location, and the arrangement was due to finish at the end of December. He is very grateful that he's secured an extension until the end of the current lockdown, but is on the lookout for a permanent base.

He said he is 'incredibly thankful' for all the support the project has received, in the form of donations, volunteering and the involvement of town councillors, and he emphasised that the Community Fridge is 'desperately needed' and must continue to operate.

Sam's 'vision' for for the future

He is also exploring the possibility of linking the Community Fridge to a 'hub' project comprising a community garden and café, once the Covid restrictions are lifted. (In fact, this was the original plan, but the fridge project was brought forward because of the necessity for it.) The idea is that local residents could learn to grow fruit and vegetables, and cook with them to provide meals for sale in the café, bringing in income to tackle food poverty issues in the neighbourhood. He is currently in talks with Littleham Primary School to see if some of their land could be used for the garden – this could also offer outdoor learning opportunities for pupils.

Sam said the benefits of the community garden and café would be wide-ranging.

He said: "Littleham Community Hub is a vision to create a safe space that seeks to help the people of Littleham to build community, to grow in confidence, self esteem, and self-worth.

"It is about creating the opportunity to learn and understand more of what it means to be a community who cares for each other and can engage together across the generations as they grow food, reap the harvest, cook together and explore the outdoors.

"We want to create a fully inclusive environment where people can explore who they are, what their passions are and learn tools to help them cope and grow in the ever changing (and at times frightening) world in which we live."

He added that the project, involving the therapeutic group activities of gardening and cooking, would be a great help to those suffering from mental health problems. Its volunteers would also offer spiritual support to people of any faith.

Overall, it would be a community space for people in Littleham who, for whatever reason, cannot get into the town centre to meet friends. It would also be good for people on low incomes, with food and drinks reasonably priced, and a 'buy forward' scheme in which customers could pay in advance for a meal or drink, to be claimed by someone who couldn't afford it.

Sam would like to hear from any local people or organisations who would like to get involved with this project. He's keen to work with other groups that have similar aims, and with anyone within the Littleham neighbourhood who would like to get behind his ideas.

The Littleham Community Fridge is open at Littleham Leisure Centre on Monday 9am to 11am, Tuesday 3pm to 5pm, Wednesday 4pm to 6pm, Thursday 9am to 11am and Friday 9am to 11am, and has a Facebook page with regular updates on the food available.