Cotgrave Community Kitchen receives vital grant for new storage container
Last updated: 11/9/2025
Cotgrave Community Kitchen has received a community grant for a brand-new storage container to help the group continue its great work and save even more food from waste.
Rushcliffe Borough Council’s (RBC) principal contractor for Cotgrave Leisure Centre, Leisure Energy, awarded the grant to the voluntary group as part of their initiative to give back to the local community.
The business is a renewable technology company and led on the recent decarbonisation and refurbishment works at the leisure centre. Recognising the vital work of Cotgrave Community Kitchen, their grant has now provided a secure, watertight storage container to help the group store essential provisions.
RBC has also supported the project by permanently storing the large container at the leisure centre for easy access for the surplus food community supermarket.
Cotgrave Community Kitchen, based at the Cotgrave Futures in the village, is a not for profit, volunteer led organisation that provides meals to the local community.
The team promotes healthy living, brings people together and helps prevents food waste by collecting surplus food from supermarkets and using it to prepare hot meals or stock their community supermarket.
Founder of Cotgrave Community Kitchen Jill Mathers said: “We had nowhere to store the produce and equipment we need and have been borrowing space wherever we could.
“The team is indeed grateful for secure, watertight storage space, and the container will be a valuable asset for the kitchen’s operations.”
Strategic Director at Leisure Energy Mike Worsnop added: “At Leisure Energy, we believe in giving back to the communities where we work. Cotgrave Community Kitchen is a shining example of the kind of grassroots, volunteer-led initiative we are proud to support.
“By providing a secure storage container, we hope to ease their operational challenges and help them continue their incredible work to reduce food waste and supporting local residents”
Rushcliffe Borough Council’s Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Wellbeing, ICT and Member Development Cllr Jonathan Wheeler said: “Our energy-efficient investments in our leisure centres has brought added benefits to the wider community.
“We were pleased to introduce Cotgrave Community Kitchen to our principal contractors Leisure Energy who kindly supported them through their community grant.
“It’s a fantastic example of how partnerships between the council, contractors and community groups can deliver real benefits for local people.
“Cotgrave Community Kitchen is an inspiring initiative, and we’re pleased to support them through our networks.
“One of their star volunteers Norma Heard was shortlisted for a Volunteer Award at our Celebrating Rushcliffe Awards in 2023, celebrating her and the team for their dedication in running weekly food collections to help residents save money and prevent food waste.”