Supporting the community

With the country back in lockdown, Bedales Head of Catering Matt Potts has once again stepped up to provide an essential supplies shop for the local community.

Matt originally launched the supplies shop at the start of the first lockdown in March 2020 in response to news that members of the local community were having difficulty sourcing household staples in their local supermarkets. Making up to 20 deliveries a day, six days a week, Matt ran the service with the support of school volunteers and the Steep Volunteer Group until September, providing a lifeline for local residents who were required to shield or self-isolate.

When the UK entered lockdown for the third time in January, Matt immediately made plans to re-open his supplies shop, this time with the assistance of five other members of staff. With fewer shortages in supermarkets, demand is more manageable, but Matt continues to work closely with the Steep Volunteer Group to deliver essential supplies to residents of Steep and nearby Steep Marsh twice a week.

Matt said: “Being able to support the local community during the first lockdown was so well-received and such a rewarding experience that I was keen to do the same again. This lockdown is slightly different to the first, but there are still members of the community who need support and it is fantastic to be able to help them in this way.”

Head of Bedales Magnus Bashaarat added: “This initiative is very much in tune with the school’s founding motto, ‘Work of each for weal of all’. We are keen to play our part in the impressive community effort and offer support where we can at this time.”