Tackling rural poverty in Warwickshire

The Meon Vale Community Food Store in Stratford upon Avon has been awarded a grant as part of our yearly community kindness campaign, which has seen us support 10 local specialist organisations, charities, food banks and events across our Warwickshire communities, totalling £4,750.  

Yasmin Murphy, our Community Engagement Officer said: “It is never been more important to support projects like the Meon Vale Community Food Store which has such an essential purpose within the local community.  Due to the decline in donations from supermarkets we were told that its supplies were at their lowest ever point.  As it serves large numbers of our own customers on the Meon Vale and Cotswolds Vale estates we felt compelled to assist them with a financial contribution to ease the very real burden the situation was having on so many people.”  

The food store was launched in 2020 by local resident Steph Hillier following a realisation that residents were becoming more and more disproportionately affected by hidden rural poverty.  

Open to those in need, it provides a sense of belonging and offers volunteering opportunities for young adults with learning difficulties.  The food store also supports a community cafe open to all run by volunteers where – among other activities - a weekly arts group meets, offering a great space for residents and visitors to come together.  

Steph Hiller, Founder at Meon Vale Food Store said: “The rising cost of living and the dip in donations to the food store has had a really heavy impact on people in the area at a time when rural poverty is at an all time low.  We are therefore so very grateful to Platform Housing Group reaching out to us in this way and offering local residents a helping hand at this difficult time.  Thank you Platform.”  

In the Stratford, Cotswolds and West Oxfordshire areas, Platform is donating a total of £3,000 during this latest campaign; donations include:  

• Claus for a Cause, Stratford and the Cotswolds; 
• Carterton Community Foodbank, West Oxfordshire; 
• Heyford Park Pantry, West Oxfordshire. 

Photo caption : Gem Murphy, Head of Customer and Community Engagement, Platform Housing Group; Yasmin Murphy, Community Engagement Officer, Platform Housing Group; Steph Hillier, Founder, The Pavilion, Meon Vale Food Store and Andrew Beech, Trustee and Volunteer, The Pavilion, Meon Vale Food Store.