About Loveworks
Our Mission
At Loveworks, our mission is to improve the lives of those experiencing food poverty across Reigate, Merstham, Redhill, and surrounding areas.
Through our food banks, we provide essential support to relieve hunger and, in partnership with other agencies, offer access to information and resources aimed at preventing future food bank reliance.
We are passionate about bringing our community together to support those among us facing hardship, fostering a spirit of compassion, dignity, and hope.
History
Our Story
Since 2008, Loveworks has been in Reigate, supporting hundreds of local people through food provision and community initiatives.
Founded by Linda Souris to inspire volunteers to “give back,” Loveworks began with simple, heartfelt projects - from pamper events and mentoring for young adults to the Cuppa Tea Club for older residents and Christmas gift bags for families.
Our first food bank opened in Merstham in 2012, followed by Reigate (Woodhatch) in 2014. In 2019, our mission evolved to place food at the heart of what we do, launching new food projects and opening the first of our two community allotments.
During the pandemic, demand for food support tripled. Loveworks adapted quickly - introducing home deliveries, securing a van and warehouse for sorting and storage, and opening two more food banks in Reigate and Redhill.
Today, Linda’s founding ethos - giving “love to the community” - continues to guide everything we do.
Food Banks
Preventing food poverty
Currently with 4 food banks and a home delivery service covering Reigate and the surrounding areas, we help people who are struggling to make ends meet and in turn, help to stop the recurrence of food poverty. Each of our food bank operates from accessible hubs, and our weekly delivery service supports people who are unable to access the food hubs due to disability or being housebound.
Dedicated Volunteers
Manned by our dedicated volunteers, the food banks provide bespoke food parcels to beneficiaries. Each food parcel is individually packed in the warehouse and handed to our beneficiaries by caring, compassionate Loveworks volunteers.
Our Unique Approach
With a unique holistic approach, we build relationships, connect people with longer term support and help them get back on their feet. We are not a drop-in food bank, as we only help people who are referred to us via other agencies. In this way, we can make a real and direct difference to the lives of many people.
Weekly Food Parcels
The weekly food parcels are also supplemented with fresh produce grown at the Loveworks own community allotments, fresh bread and pastries, toiletries and household products. We work closely with a number of invaluable food bank ambassadors who enable us to provide well-balanced food parcels on a weekly basis.
Support Worker
Loveworks’ support worker is also on hand at food banks to help beneficiaries with essential practical support, advice and guidance. Working closely with the referral agencies, the support worker helps to get people back on their feet with vital signposting and education, and put an end to needing food provision. All information is treated in complete confidence.
Growing Food
Fresh Crops
Providing healthy, nutritious and well-balanced food parcels to hundreds of beneficiaries is Loveworks main objective. With 2 community allotments in Reigate, we produce a variety of healthy and delicious vegetables, fruit and salad crops each year which supplement the food parcels.
Volunteers
Entirely manned by our wonderful and dedicated team of volunteers, the fresh produce is carefully grown, picked, taken to our warehouse and added to the food parcels.
