Group: Waddesdon Hall
Project: Community Hub
Grant: £10,000
Fund: Community Fund
Waddesdon Hall is home to the Waddesdon Community Hub. From tackling food insecurity to reducing isolation, the Hub creates opportunities for people of all ages and backgrounds to come together and improve their wellbeing.
A grant from the Heart of Bucks Community Fund has helped the Hub deliver a wide range of initiatives designed to improve the lives of local residents.
Its Community Fridge redistributes surplus food donated by local businesses, organisations and residents, helping to reduce food waste while ensuring local residents can access essential food and community support.
Operating from October to April, the Welcome Space initiative provides a warm and friendly environment with drinks and snacks where people can meet and chat. It helps tackle social isolation and provides valuable support for vulnerable residents during the colder months. Seasonal events, such as pumpkin carving, offer further opportunities for residents to meet and socialise.
Family cooking classes help residents develop practical skills and learn to prepare healthy and affordable meals. The community garden provides space for residents to get involved, reduce waste and promote sustainable practices.
Regular community dinners, including free community feasts and breakfasts during school half-terms, bring people together to enjoy nutritious meals using ingredients from the Community Fridge and garden.
The Hub also invests in volunteer training, helping volunteers develop new skills and extend the reach of its support.
Together, these activities are helping to build a stronger, more connected community by improving access to food, reducing financial pressures and creating opportunities for local people to connect.
Before, I was just getting through the week. Now I actually look forward to coming in, and I’ve met people I can talk to. I’m not skipping meals so the kids can eat anymore.
