RBC awards funding boost to inclusive community project in West Bridgford
Last updated: 9/4/2026
A West Bridgford community project has received a funding boost to support its work providing a safe and inclusive space for adults with additional needs to come together, build confidence, and feel part of their community.
Rushcliffe Borough Council (RBC) awarded £1,000 through its Community Wellbeing Fund to support Meet, Greet and Eat in running a weekly pop‑up shop that takes place every Friday from midday to 2pm at the West Bridgford Young People’s Centre.
The initiative promotes social connection and wellbeing by helping individuals develop essential life skills including communication, teamwork, customer service, literacy and numeracy, as well as increasing awareness of healthy eating, food waste, and environmental responsibility.
The project also meets wider community needs by providing affordable redistributed food to vulnerable residents.
Recognising the group’s inspiring work and outstanding community spirit, Meet, Greet and Eat won the Community Group of the Year Award at the Celebrating Rushcliffe Awards in 2024.
RBC’s Deputy Leader Cllr Abby Brennan, and RBC’s Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Leisure, Wellbeing and ICT Cllr Jonathan Wheeler, recently visited the Meet, Greet and Eat project, meeting Project Coordinator Farah Jamil and the dedicated volunteers to see the positive impact of their work first‑hand.
Cllr Brennan said: “It was fantastic to visit the Meet, Greet and Eat project and see the wonderful volunteers working together to run the pop‑up supermarket.
“We’re really pleased to support the project through our Community Wellbeing Fund. The group offers a supportive environment where volunteers can gain confidence, build life skills, and help people feel more connected.
“The local residents absolutely love visiting and there’s often a big queue outside before the doors even open!”
Cllr Wheeler added: “Farah and the team are brilliant and work incredibly hard to deliver this very successful project, which benefits both volunteers and residents alike.
“There’s also a great range of fun and social activities on offer, including regular raffles and a café where anyone can sit down, relax and enjoy a hot drink and a slice of cake.”
Farah said: “Our project aims to help as many people as possible by providing a fun and safe space where our volunteers can socialise, develop new skills and have fun together.
Our group has grown over the years, and we all absolutely love what we do. We’ve received some lovely feedback and compliments from our customer feedback forms too.
“Thank you to RBC for supporting us with this grant, it means a lot to us as it enables us to continue running this fantastic supermarket. We're proud to offer food and drink and other produce for nominal suggested donations, helping the community who may be on a tight budget.
“Anyone is welcome to come along to every Friday, say hello and see what’s on offer that week!”
A customer added: “Meet, Greet and Eat is a lifeline for many people and the workers do a great job!”
A further customer said: “They all do a wonderful job! Everyone is kind and cheerful, helping everyone who attends. Thank you to Farah and the whole team.”
RBC’s Community Wellbeing Fund is supported by UK Shared Prosperity Funding (UKSPF), allocated through the East Midlands Combined County Authority.
