The Sheppey Support Bus - a converted double decker donated generously by a local business - is a community project that was designed by the community to support the residents of Sheppey. The Support Bus has been developed through the Community Development Forum by the community. The bus has been kitted out to contain a lower deck on-board 'Pop Up Market' , a social supermarket and an upper desk with rooms for community advice and other services. Our 'Pop Up Market' will offer those who take out membership with regular access to good quality healthy, affordable, fresh food. This will ease at least some of the mounting pressure on household budgets and local infrastructure. It will also relieve the stigma associated with visiting foodbanks. Our service will cost a fraction of the price of a regular supermarket shop thanks to the support of organisations like Fair Share and local supermarkets. Local demand for food support is very high and this project will meet this need.

What we'll deliver:

• A container that will allow lots of food products to be stored ready for delivery.
• The capacity to store fresh produce to provide a healthy diet to people who use the bus.
• A safe storage area that will be for the support bus only on a busy school campus.

Why it's a great idea:

The benefits The Sheppey Support Bus will bring to the community will include - Increased access to good quality, healthy food - Social interaction to help decrease the effects of isolation and loneliness in the community. - Access to services that will support the community in their day to day lives - This project will bring the support to the community which is unique in Kent. This will support access issues and reach out to provide equality in provision. - Build up trust between service providers and the local community which may help more vulnerable people take the first step in asking for help.

Steps to get it done:

• Increasing capacity for storage of food for the project
• Increasing area that the project will cover with increasing stop numbers
• Developing volunteering opportunities for local people at the local stops

The project is supported by a team of local volunteers and in time we would like to expand this team to make sure it is a project conceived, run and will provide for the the community it has been set up to serve. The bus will eventually be visiting every part of the semi rural community on Sheppey with a bespoke service where food provision and other services will work together for the benefit of people who need it most. Any support is always gratefully received.