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Major Lynn Clifton with Steve Chalke, Oasis Trust, Tim Lambkin, Travelmasters, and Paul Murray, Isle of Sheppey Oasis Academy

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the side, as well as the logos of partner organisations – started operating fully in the first week of November.

One day a week it visits four stops, including the two most remote areas, Warden Bay and Leysdown, as well as Minster and Sheerness.

Members of the social supermarket pay a monthly fee. For £28 a month a family receives 20 items of ambient produce every week – items that can be stored at room temperature, such as pasta, sauces, beans, tea, coffee and toiletries. A single membership of £14 guarantees individuals 10 ambient items a week.

‘That’s the minimum they’ll get,’ enthuses Lynne. ‘Morrisons gives us masses of fresh food. Most weeks I collect a pallet of fresh food from the supermarket, so members have as much of that as we can divide between everybody. Chiquita, which has a warehouse at Sheerness docks, gives us 300 bananas a week.’

As well as the social supermarket, there is a support hub on the upper deck of the bus.

‘Some of our partner agencies come on board the bus regularly, including Barclays Bank employees offering budgeting support, community wardens, the probation services officer, a fuel and water adviser and volunteers from Sateda, a domestic abuse support charity,’ says Lynne.

She adds: ‘The bus has wifi, so partners who can’t release people to be on the bus every week can be contacted about questions and referrals, such as Christians Against Poverty, Citizens Advice and the Department for Work and Pensions.

‘We have ideas to develop the support deck and help people save money in other areas: we want to get Quit Smoking nurses on board and there’s a man who wants to help people with digital inclusion, so they can apply for jobs online.’

Lynne emphasises the joy of working in partnership with other organisations and that they are ‘stronger together’ and better able to meet the needs of the community with ‘some joined-up thinking’.

Due to the sharp increase in living and fuel costs, the social supermarket has already reached its membership capacity of 100 households and is operating with a waiting list.

‘The numbers we support have spiked suddenly and we need to respond quickly, but not in a rushed way that is going to overburden us. We’re relying on volunteers and it takes a whole day to pick up and prepare stock, and then a day to run the project. So we will need volunteers for another two days, not just one,’ says Lynne.

In her work on the bus, Lynne has the support of another Sheerness employee – Charlie Buckingham. Charlie was originally on a six-month placement through the government’s Kickstart scheme and is now employed by The Salvation Army as a part-time community support worker. He created the Sheppey Support Bus website and Facebook page.

‘Charlie made a significant contribution,’ affirms Lynne. ‘The bus project couldn’t have happened without his skills. He has his own story – he used to access food banks, so is passionate about helping the community.’

Lynne, too, is passionate about the project. ‘It’s all about people – we seek to serve every individual who connects with us, with respect and dignity, demonstrating that they are valued. We strive to take time to listen, to see how we can support them and help them to thrive. We try to offer people choices and hope.

‘We see our service through the Sheppey Support Bus as part of God’s mission in our community. We are privileged to join in with all that God is doing and serve others in this very practical way, offering our time, talents and energy to God as an act of our worship.’

MELITA DAY-LEWIS

Former Editorial Assistant Salvationist