THE founder of the Second Helping Project is looking to provide even more locally-based residents with nutritious meals after successfully winning a £1,000 grant from the High Peak Health and Wellbeing Partnership’s Small Grants programme.

The Glossop-based project aims to address the gaps between food waste, food poverty and community cohesion.

Beth Fitton, who established the project last year, will now use the grant – which is administered by High Peak CVS – to ensure that The Second Helping Project can help even more people eat balanced meals in 2026.

Beth explains: “This was the first time we’d ever applied for grant funding – and we were over the moon when we heard that our bid had been successful.

“Due to us being a constituted group, we were able to bid for £1,000 and we now intend to use half of it to secure our kitchen premises in Glossop Market Hall for the rest of 2026.

“The remainder will go towards training volunteers to help make food and ensuring that our drivers have completed driver awareness training and aren’t out of pocket after making deliveries.”

Beth established the Second Helping Project specifically to combat “food insecurity, promote dignity through access to nutritious meals, and create meaningful opportunities for those most often left behind”.

Beth adds: “We remain committed to helping as many people as possible across Glossop enjoy delicious and nutritious food precisely when they need it – without any judgement about their individual circumstances.

“I’d like to thank everyone who’s supported us so far – and we’re always looking for new volunteers – so please do get in touch if you can help.”

The High Peak Health and Wellbeing Partnership’s Small Grants programme is an initiative funded by Derbyshire County Council’s Public Health department and administered by High Peak CVS to support local voluntary and community groups.

The program aims to improve health and wellbeing, reduce inequalities, and combat social isolation in the High Peak area.

Last year, High Peak CVS helped the Second Helping Project establish itself as a community interest company (CIC) and provided other practical support about its future development plans.

Ross Burnage, Chief Executive of High Peak CVS, adds: “Beth’s making a massive difference on a daily basis in many different ways – from helping to prevent food waste to ensuring that people around Glossop have access to nutritious meals when they need them.

“In addition, the Second Helping Project is also creating volunteering opportunities which are invaluable for community cohesion while also preventing social isolation.

“We were delighted to receive their application for the High Peak Health and Wellbeing Partnership’s Small Grants programme and look forward to supporting them in any way we can in the future.”