Throughout this financial year, Diamond Hampers CIC has continued to provide practical, accessible and dignified support to individuals and families across Huntingdon and the wider community. Our activities have focused not only on responding to immediate hardship, but also on helping people become more independent, improving wellbeing, reducing social isolation and protecting the environment. Tackling Food Poverty and Household Hardship One of our main activities has continued to be providing emergency food support to individuals and families experiencing financial hardship or crisis. Our food hampers provide essential food and household items, including fresh and nutritious produce wherever possible. During July alone, we supplied 2,709 meals through our food hampers to people across the wider community. Our approach is based on providing a hand up rather than simply a hand out. Where possible, we work with beneficiaries to understand the wider causes of their crisis and help connect them with appropriate organisations and longer-term support. Providing Affordable Food and Essential Items Through The Pantry, we have continued to give members of the community access to affordable food, including fresh, frozen and packaged products. This enables people to stretch limited household budgets while retaining choice and dignity. Our other community stores, including The Attic and The Toy Chest, provide affordable clothing, school uniform, toys, baby equipment and other household and family essentials. These services benefit people who may not necessarily require emergency assistance but who are struggling with the increasing cost of everyday living. They also help remove some of the stigma traditionally associated with accessing charitable support. Reducing Food Waste and Protecting the Environment Our community activities have also created significant environmental benefits. We collect surplus food from supermarkets and other local businesses and redirect usable food back into the community instead of allowing it to become waste. In July 2026 alone, we rescued 10.2 tonnes of food, generating approximately 24,174 meals through redirected food in The Pantry. This prevented approximately £8,160 worth of food from going to landfill and saved an estimated 17,340kg of CO2. This means our work addresses two significant community issues simultaneously: food insecurity and unnecessary food waste. Supporting Children and Young People This financial year we have expanded opportunities for children and young people through our free community clubs. Our activities include a Homework Club, providing children with access to computers, tablets and support from qualified staff and DBS-checked volunteers. We also provide social groups for young people aged 11–16 and 17–25, creating safe environments where young people can socialise, develop friendships and participate in positive activities. These projects help improve confidence, reduce loneliness and isolation, support education and give young people safe and constructive places to spend their time. Improving Mental Health, Wellbeing and Social Connection Diamond Hampers CIC recognises that poverty and crisis are often connected with loneliness, poor mental wellbeing and social isolation. Our Chatty Cafe provides a welcoming community environment where people can access affordable food while meeting and connecting with others. We have also developed activities including our Menopause Cafe, mental health and suicide awareness support group, craft activities, tabletop gaming, choir and other community groups. These activities create opportunities for people to form friendships, develop confidence, learn skills and feel part of their community. Supporting Independence and Longer-Term Solutions An important measure of our success is not simply how many people receive emergency assistance, but how many people are able to move forward from needing that assistance. During July alone, we helped 10 families improve their circumstances by identifying longer-term solutions, helping them work towards more sustainable and independent futures. We also continue to support vulnerable groups including people experiencing homelessness, survivors of domestic abuse, refugees and young people leaving care. Our support can include food, clothing, household essentials, referrals and practical assistance. Community Allotment and Healthy Living Our community allotment project has introduced another way of helping residents become more self-sufficient. The project enables referred residents to participate in growing their own food, helping them learn practical skills, access fresh fruit and vegetables and potentially reduce their household food costs. It also encourages healthy eating, community participation, environmental awareness and sustainable food production. Volunteering and Community Participation Our work provides meaningful volunteering opportunities for local residents. Volunteers help collect surplus food, prepare hampers, deliver emergency support, operate our stores and assist with community activities. Volunteering allows people to contribute directly to their local community while developing confidence, experience, skills, friendships and a sense of purpose. Overall Community Benefit The activities undertaken by Diamond Hampers CIC during this financial year have provided clear community benefit by: - reducing food poverty and providing emergency assistance; - helping families move from crisis towards greater independence; - providing affordable food, clothing, toys and household essentials; - reducing loneliness and social isolation; - providing safe and positive activities for children and young people; - supporting mental health and wellbeing; - creating volunteering and community participation opportunities; - supporting vulnerable people, including those experiencing homelessness or domestic abuse; - reducing food waste and associated carbon emissions; and - promoting sustainable living, healthy eating and greater community resilience. Our purpose remains to ensure that people experiencing hardship are treated with dignity, choice and respect. We aim to address immediate need while working alongside individuals and families to develop longer-term solutions that reduce their dependence on emergency support. The community benefit created by Diamond Hampers CIC therefore extends beyond the food and essential items we distribute. Our activities help build a stronger, more connected, environmentally responsible and resilient community.

No consultation with stakeholders

No remuneration was received

No transfer of assets other than for full consideration