Community Fridge opens in Gander Green to support local people with the cost of living

A local vicar from St Albans Church and Sutton GPs, have been working with local residents to respond to the cost-of-living crisis. Together they recently set up a community fridge on Gander Green Lane, one of the most deprived areas of Sutton to address health inequalities and reduce local food waste.

Cost-of-living support is a top priority for local health and care organisations. Partners kick started the initiative in response to community feedback to address barriers to buying healthy food. The fridge is easy to access for anyone in the local community. There is no referral process, and anyone can donate or collect food.

It is brilliant to have this opportunity to empower local people to ’create health’. There has been so much energy already and so many people wanting to get involved.

Kate Mayer, GP and Co-Chair of our Cheam and South Sutton Integrated Neighbourhood Team

Kate Mayer, GP and Co-Chair of our Cheam and South Sutton Integrated Neighbourhood Team said, “It is brilliant to have this opportunity to empower local people to ’create health’. There has been so much energy already and so many people wanting to get involved.”

Already popular with people in the local neighbourhood, the initiative has received support from Sutton United Football Club, Sutton Churches Tennis Club, Zerowaste Sutton and Starbucks.

Open for less than two weeks, the Community Fridge is already developing into a community hub, with a school uniform rail and baby bank, and many people coming in to have a drink and a chat, helping reduce loneliness in a community which has no other gathering place.

Reverend Bethany Lewis

Reverend Bethany Lewis, said “Open for less than two weeks, the Community Fridge is already developing into a community hub, with a school uniform rail and baby bank, and many people coming in to have a drink and a chat, helping reduce loneliness in a community which has no other gathering place.”

The initiative has empowered the community to drive change themselves, supported by local organisations. It is hoped this is the first of many initiatives created by local people to overcome some of the current barriers to improving their health and wellbeing.