Stantec Oxford Volunteers Help Pave the Way to New Community Larder

Thanks to volunteers from Stantec, Aspire is one step closer to launching a brand-new community larder. 

Residents of central Oxford say there’s a lack of accessible food larders in their area – at a time where the cost of living remains high. To meet the need for accessible food supplies, Aspire plans to launch a community larder in its offices. 

The larder won’t just provide food to local people in need. It will also be home to a new work experience scheme run by Aspire. Aspire’s clients, particularly those struggling to find stable employment, will have the chance to work in the larder, gaining valuable skills in customer service and stock rotation. The work experience scheme will help clients connect with the community, build their confidence, and take steps towards their goals. 

Like all of Aspire’s employability initiatives, participants will receive extensive wraparound support, ensuring that their experience is positive and empowering. 

Thanks to a group of nine volunteers from Stantec’s Oxford office, Aspire are now one step closer to launching the larder. Volunteers weeded and cleared outside areas at Aspire’s offices, clearing the way for renovations to begin. 

Christina Rofique, Chief Programmes Office at Aspire Oxford, said: “The volunteers from Stantec have cleared out the area around the side of our offices, where the entry to the community larder will be. This means that we can more easily begin to build key parts of the larder, such as an access ramp and entryway. We’re now closer to launching this project and helping more people in need. Thank you to the team at Stantec!” 

Joshua Clarke, Senior Engineer at Stantec said: “Aspire’s dedication to the community is truly commendable, so to be able to provide a small contribution by removing weeds and generally tidying the grounds of their office space made the day a very rewarding experience. We hope that this will support the wellbeing of the team and make it even more welcoming for their clients.” 

Aspire’s community larder will welcome donations from local businesses and the general public. 

To learn more about corporate volunteering, visit our partnership page. 

To receive updates about the larder and other Aspire initiatives, subscribe to our newsletter at the bottom of this page.