Volunteers wanted to help capture the impact of community food support

Multi-award-winning community organisation The Power of Resilience CIC is inviting local people to help shape the future of community food support by taking part in a research project with The University of Manchester.

The appeal comes as the organisation prepares to open its fourth community pantry at Broadoak Community Centre this autumn, expanding a network that already supports hundreds of people across Tameside every week with affordable food, reduced waste and community support.

Funded through The University of Manchester's Sustainable Futures platform, the project brings together researcher Dr Chris Walsh and Julie Mallinson, Executive Director of The Power of Resilience CIC, to explore how community-led food initiatives improve food security, reduce waste and strengthen local resilience.

As part of the project, students from Works4U, Stalybridge, have been involved in the building of the new pantry, giving young people the opportunity to share in the creation of a lasting resource for their local community.

Funding has also supported weekly outreach sessions and community meals in The Power of Resilience CIC's new community kitchen between May and July 2026, where hearty homemade meals have been served every Tuesday afternoon on a pay-as-you-can basis.

The team is now looking for volunteers to take part in a Ripple Effects Mapping workshop. The session will explore the wider impact of the organisation's work through the experiences of those who have used the pantries or community kitchen, volunteered, donated, partnered with the organisation or simply care about building stronger communities.

Anyone interested in taking part is warmly invited to contact Dr Chris Walsh at christopher.walsh@manchester.ac.uk for more information.

Dr Chris Walsh, Researcher at The University of Manchester, said:

"This partnership is a fantastic opportunity to understand and demonstrate the impact community-led food support has on building stronger, more resilient communities. We're looking forward to hearing the stories behind that impact."

Julie Mallinson, Executive Director of The Power of Resilience CIC, said:

"Opening our fourth community pantry is an important milestone for our organisation and the community we serve. Every story shared through this research will help us demonstrate the value of community-led support and strengthen future opportunities for local people."