Making a difference in Sleaford: Chop, Chat & Change
The Chop, Chat & Change project, designed by GoGro CIC who have been collaborating with Sleaford Community Grocers, is now self-sustaining as it continues to make a difference to local people.
The project officially began on October 8, 2025, at the Riverside units in Sleaford, marking an exciting new step in the Sleaford Community Grocers’ efforts to promote healthy, sustainable living.
Initially supported by North Kesteven District Council through the Household Support Fund, and facilitated by GoGro CIC in partnership with the Sleaford Community Grocers, the project was developed with a clear purpose.
The aim was to make fresh produce more accessible, reduce food waste, and build a community initiative that can continue well into 2026 with the support and enthusiasm of local volunteers.
There is a team of 19 volunteers from a range of ages and backgrounds, with a core of 8-10 who attend regularly. They meet every Wednesday from 10am-12pm, and it has quickly become a warm, social space where people can connect, learn new skills, and give back to their community.
The volunteers come together to prepare fresh produce to make meal packs, which are made available through the Sleaford Community Grocers. The food is sourced from the grocers, and generous local donations including from Branston Potatoes.
We met up with the volunteers one Wednesday and their passion and enthusiasm was clear to see.
Julie Buff said: “It is great getting together with people in the community, having a chat, and knowing this will help someone who can’t do it themselves.”
Gabriel Pretorius said: “It’s good to have something to get out of the house and to do something for other people.
“I love hearing the positive feedback from customers at the grocery. They don’t always know how to start with getting ingredients so the packs are a big help for them, so it’s very rewarding.”
Fellow volunteer Sara Smith added: “It is nice to come out and meet people and have a lovely chat.
“Making sure the vegetables donated are used and then seeing the impact it has on people is very rewarding.”
Meryl Lewis said: “Food insecurities is just an atrocity in first world countries and an initiative like this that can help in a small way is really good.”
Paul Staples is the Project lead for Sleaford Chop, Chat & Change, as well as being part of the community impact team for the local New Life Church.
He said: “It’s been a great uptake of volunteers. The enthusiasm and passion of the volunteers helps it succeed with them at the helm.
“It’s been incredible so far and very productive and they are also engaging with customers in the grocers. Customers have also come through to us and given very positive feedback about the initiative.
“The Household Support Fund has enabled the project to begin and allowed us to purchase equipment. It has enabled GoGro to establish the project and we are very grateful for the Council’s ongoing support as this wouldn’t be possible without them.”
Rob Hewis is the Co-Director at Lincolnshire-based GoGro CIC, which also delivers Chop, Chat & Change initiatives elsewhere in the county, including in Lincoln.
He said: “We are learning a lot from these processes and realised there are so many opportunities to set up groups.
“It has been amazing (in Sleaford) and the fact we have got the Community Grocery, and Paul as the link in between, is a mutual benefit for everyone. What we’ve realised is that the sustainability of these initiatives comes with the right group, leadership and mentality, and we’ve found that here.
“To have a hyper local group where people understand the direct impact the project has on the community makes them more passionate in what they do.”
Chop, Chat & Change is proving to be about more than just food. It’s about people coming together to share time, support one another, and create lasting, positive change in Sleaford.
More volunteers are always welcome to do the project. For more information, please contact 01529 413063 or email [email protected].