Let's start at the very beginning...

Community Cupboard began with a simple conversation between two friends. I met Uday, the manager of Simply Local in Newcastle‑under‑Lyme, and over time I shared a dream I’d carried for years to help people who are in work but still struggling to afford food and toiletries.

Instead of treating it like a distant idea, Uday immediately saw the potential. He pointed to the old newspaper stand outside the shop and said it could become something new. That tiny spark set everything in motion.

We talked, planned, and imagined what this could become. Uday offered me the unused back stock room, completely free - so we’d have a place to store donations. I reached out to local artist Grega Greaves, who transformed the old newspaper stand into a bright, colourful 
symbol of hope for the community.

From that small space and a repurposed stand, Community Cupboard was born in May 2025.

Since then, we’ve grown far beyond those early days. Uday joined me as a director, bringing his business experience and steady guidance. And in December, we secured a grant from The National Lottery Community Fund, thanks to the players who make that support possible, helping us reach even more families across Newcastle‑under‑Lyme.

What started as a shared idea between two friends has become a lifeline for our community. And this is only the beginning.