Twenty years of making a difference!

Sutton Community Works celebrated their 20th anniversary last week, marking two decades of exceptional service to the community.

They run a food bank, the Community Food Shop in the St Nicholas Centre, and a homeless shelter in the winter months; and their Street Pastor team give help and support on our high streets all year round.

A big thank you to Mark Tomlinson and his team for all they do for Sutton.

At a time when many people are struggling and with the onset of winter when our energy bills go up, the help which Sutton Community Works (SCW) gives has never been more crucial.

Their Community Food Shop, based in the St Nicholas Centre, is open on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays and is a lifeline for a number of our families. It has been a really successful scheme and I was impressed by the choice they had on the shelves. From branded goods to fresh produce, there was a lot to choose from. The Community Food Shop, together with the Sutton Food Bank provide invaluable support to our residents.

And perhaps one of the most visible and compassionate aspects of SCW’s work is the presence of their Street Pastors on Sutton’s streets. Every weekend, volunteers are out, in all weathers, to provide a non-judgmental, listening ear; giving support to those who are out on the streets, who may be distressed or homeless. For anyone who needs them, they also give out bottles of water and flip flops!

For anyone who is struggling, please know that there is help available to you. Sutton Council has a dedicated Cost of Living page on our website where you can find financial, housing and energy support. 

More advice can also be found from Together for Sutton. This partnership of local organisations offers a wealth of advice on their website or over the phone. They are also running Talk Money Week (3-7 November) at the 'Your Community Hub' on Sutton High Street for residents to discuss financial matters.

I’d like to say thank you to Sutton Community Works and to all of the other organisations here in Sutton for all you do to help others during very difficult times.

Councillor Barry Lewis  
Leader of Sutton Council