Bookham Community Fridge

B O C O K H A M O M M U N I T Y F R I D G E

Behind closed doors at a disused youth centre!

Throughout out the Covid 19 crisis, many organisations, both voluntary and government funded have worked tirelessly to help those in need of support. Two such groups are Bookham Community Fridge and Surrey Local Resilience Forum. And in July, they came together under one roof! Borne out of a need to change their operating premises, the currently disused Bookham Youth Club was identified as a suitable location for both groups. The Food Hub for Surrey Resilience Forum relocated from Guildford and Bookham Community Fridge didn’t have quite so far to travel, relocating from Bookham Baptist Church. On July 28th time was set aside to welcome a number of visitors who were keen to see how things were going at their new home. Paul Woodhouse, Unit leader for Runnymede Volunteer Police Cadets was the first to arrive to open the doors of the vacant youth centre to welcome in Cadets from Epsom, Runnymede, Woking and Guildford. The youngsters have been busy packing food boxes that support shielding residents during the COVID-19 lockdown. The Food Hub receives bulk ambient (non perishable) food which is then sorted into boxes and distributed by SCC Community Transport providers across the county. As lockdown lifts, the number of boxes being sent out is lessening, but food parcels will continue to be provided to vulnerable residents and those who may be self-isolating and in urgent need of food. Whilst the cadets were busy beavering away with the food boxes of tinned and dry goods, in the back room, the team of Bookham Community Fridge volunteers and Mid Surrey Fridges CEO Clare Davies were stocking the newly relocated Community Fridge with fresh produce. Food which would usually go to waste and landfill is donated by local producers, catering companies, hospitals and supermarkets. The produce can be a whole selection of items including bread, vegetables, fruit (always including bananas!) and even some locally made jam.

Surrey County Council chairman Tony Samuels, Mole Valley District Council Chairman Mary Huggins, Councillor Clare Curran, Jane Harwood cell lead for Resident Welfare and Volunteering for the Surrey Local Resilience Forum paid a visit to thank the cadets for all their hard work and to see

for themselves how the new hub was going. Gavin Stephens – Surrey Chief Constable, David Munroe – Surrey Police and Crime Commissioner also both gave their personal thanks to the young cadets for stepping up to the plate in helping their communities during their summer holidays. Surrey County Council Chairman Tony Samuels said : “I’d like to thank Mole Valley District Council for their support and cooperation in facilitating this move, as we continue to support those who are self-isolating as a result of Coronavirus. The hub once again shows partners from across the county, coming together to support local communities”. Previously the Bookham Community Fridge had operated in conjunction with The Meeting Place and anyone could pop along and collect food that would otherwise go to landfill. When Covid 19 struck and lockdown came, this was no longer possible, so the team of volunteers, under the inspirational leadership of Bookham resident Edna Woodhouse, turned the operation on its head and they now deliver food direct to doors.

Bags of food go out to many families and individuals who have been affected by having to self-isolate, having reduced incomes, being made redundant and many other reasons. It is wonderful that they have saved so much food from going to landfill and used it to provide much needed supplies to local people. And by completely transforming the way they work, some weeks they have been delivering over 150 bags of food to local households.

They have all done an amazing job, and worked so hard. All the volunteers giving their time and energy freely, to collect, pack and distribute the food bags to

households in Bookham, Fetcham, Effingham and Horsley. The Community Fridge has committed to operate in this way while there is a need for it, for however long that is. New households are added each week, and some households come off the delivery rounds as their circumstances change and improve. The same can be said for the volunteers. As some have now returned to their employment, so new volunteers will be needed. If you think you can help, please do get in touch with them. All help is gratefully received. As are all donations! Whilst the operating costs are kept low, there are still some overheads that need to be met. So if you can volunteer, or donate go to please visit www.themeetingplace.org.uk, call 07425 133431 or visit facebook.com/bookhamcf

And finally….STOP!

Thinking of throwing that out? Don’t want that cake that you bought? Don’t need that jar of pasta sauce you haven’t opened? Bought too many bags of rice in lockdown? Why not pass your store cupboard extras to the Bookham Community Fridge? You can be sure it will be put to good use.