Support from Comic Relief Eases Struggles at Plate of Plenty
Yvonne Smith recalls the difficult circumstances she faced when she joined the Plate of Plenty social supermarket in Nuneaton last year.
"I walked in and burst into tears,"
The 63-year-old former teaching assistant and her husband were both out of work due to health issues and reliant on benefits.
The social supermarket, located in the Abbeygate Shopping Centre in Nuneaton, aims to offer affordable food options to individuals and families struggling with the rising cost of living.
Run by the charity s Grow, the shop recently received a £5,000 grant from Comic Relief. Sioux Watkins, the charity’s founder, expressed the significance of this support.
"To be recognised by such a big funder is massive for us,"
Smith shared how the support alleviated a significant burden, as after covering bills, she had no funds left for food.
"I don't know where I'd be now if it wasn't for Sioux and this place,"
The social supermarket operates differently from a traditional food bank. Users register and pay £5 per person to select up to 15 items from the available goods.
Watkins described this model as a step above a food bank, emphasizing the empowerment it provides.
"They're actually contributing and they can choose what they have,"
Smith, who trains guide dogs, was diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis, an incurable lung disease, in 2019. This led to her medical retirement from her role supporting children with learning difficulties.
Her husband, an electrician, was made redundant during the Covid-19 pandemic and was later diagnosed with fibromyalgia, a condition causing severe pain and fatigue.
"We've always worked hard and provided for ourselves; through no fault of our own we've been thrown into this really difficult situation,"
Smith admitted feeling ashamed to ask for help due to the stigma associated with needing assistance for food.
"There is a stigma having to ask someone else for food and not being able to provide for yourself,"
However, she noted that the charity’s staff helped her understand that seeking help is not something negative.
s Grow also operates a community hub and café next door, named Margaret's, which was initially established to combat loneliness and social isolation.
"Everyone needs to belong and that's something they find when they come here,"
They currently support around 10,000 people annually, offering various services including assistance for those at risk of homelessness, addiction, and domestic violence.
The charity provides initiatives such as Plate of Hope and Cup of Kindness, which offer free hot or cold meals and drinks within the community hub.
"Many who arrive at our doors have not eaten properly for days,"
s Grow employs two paid staff members and 25 volunteers, relying on grants and donations to maintain operations.
The food supplied to the social supermarket is provided by FareShare, a food redistribution charity.
Watkins also shared plans to open a community kitchen in the town centre, aimed at teaching people about food and cooking skills.
Comic Relief’s fundraising event will be broadcast on BBC One and starting at 19:00 on Friday.
