SOFEA

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SOFEA Tackling inequality. Strengthening Communities. Transforming young people's lives. Contact us: [email protected]

SOFEA was founded in 2014, with the focus of enabling people to transform their lives. We are a charity head quartered in Didcot with a second location added in Milton Keynes. Using surplus food, we distribute to thousands of people per week, across our local communities. We work with disadvantaged people, (mostly young people) helping them gain qualifications in English and Math, providing work experience and offering wellbeing support. Please feel free to contact us if you would like to find out further information on how you can support us. We offer corporate volunteering days, and various fund-raising events throughout the year.

Beyond Food 💙This week is launch week! Free hygiene essentials are now available in our Oxfordshire Community Larders.Ou...
14/10/2026

Beyond Food 💙

This week is launch week! Free hygiene essentials are now available in our Oxfordshire Community Larders.

Our larders have always been about more than surplus food, and now we’re going even further. Toothpaste, soap, shower gel and wipes are on our shelves, thanks to Oxfordshire County Council and In Kind Direct. They’re free, to support our local community better.

So your visit is more than just a shop. It’s reducing surplus food, building connection with your community, giving you everyday support and helping you save on your grocery shop.

It’s for everyone. Join via https://www.sofea.uk.com/purpose-projects/community-larder/ to get more from your weekly shop and not miss out.

Thank you to our teams for working so hard to get these on our shelves.

Stock and availability may vary.

We still have a few places available on our SOFEA Education Programme in Milton Keynes for young people aged 16 to 18.Ou...
13/10/2026

We still have a few places available on our SOFEA Education Programme in Milton Keynes for young people aged 16 to 18.

Our programme combines practical work experience in a busy warehouse environment with Functional Skills or GCSE Maths and English, helping young people build confidence, gain valuable workplace skills, and work towards their qualifications in a supportive setting.

If you know a young person who could benefit, we'd love to hear from you.

📍 Milton Keynes

🔗 Refer here: https://forms.evide.org/r/3YYhOuODubEZ6lqP3xKL9g

12/10/2026

🎉 This week is launch week! Free hygiene essentials are now available in our Oxfordshire Community Larders.

Our larders have always been about more than surplus food, and now we’re going even further. Hygiene essentials such as toothpaste, soap, shower gel, wipes and more are in our larders, thanks to Oxfordshire County Council and In Kind Direct.

They’re free, to support our local community better.

👉 Up to 14 items for £4.50, worth a minimum of £20 + Meet your local community + FREE hygiene essential support.

So your visit is more than just a shop. It’s reducing surplus food, building connection with your community, giving you everyday support and helping you save on your grocery shop.

It’s for everyone. Join to get more from your weekly shop and not miss out. Tell your friends and family, pop in, and meet your local community whilst you’re there. ☕

💚 Don't miss out and join here and attend your next larder opening straight away: https://www.sofea.uk.com/purpose-projects/community-larder/

*Stock and availability may vary.

Our Community Larders have always been about so much more than rescuing surplus food, and next week we're going even fur...
09/10/2026

Our Community Larders have always been about so much more than rescuing surplus food, and next week we're going even further. Our teams have been working incredibly hard to bring everyday essentials like toothpaste, soap, toiletries and household basics to our shelves.

Because our larders provide dignity. They offer everyday essential support, help your budget go further, and connect you with your local community.

And the best part? It's for everyone. No matter who you are or what your situation is, you're welcome.

So tell your friends, tell your family, tell your neighbours! Pop in, have a browse, and grab a coffee at your nearest larder while you're there. ☕

Find your nearest Community Larder 👉 https://www.sofea.uk.com/purpose-projects/community-larder/

07/10/2026

🧻🧼🪥🧴 has gone mainstream – with 1 in 5 UK adults saying that they or someone in their household has had to go without toiletries, basic hygiene products or cleaning products in the past six months because they couldn't afford them. Thanks to The Hygiene Bank Oxford and In Kind Direct we have been able to offer hundreds of household essentials 🧻🧼🪥🧴 to our members.We really appreciate your support!

🏠 We're delighted to launch FREE everyday essentials at selected SOFEA Community Larders.Thanks to our supporters: In Ki...
06/10/2026

🏠 We're delighted to launch FREE everyday essentials at selected SOFEA Community Larders.

Thanks to our supporters: In Kind Direct and Oxfordshire County Council, , members can now access a range of essential household and personal care products alongside their weekly food shop, helping families stretch their budgets even further.

Available items may include nappies, toothpaste, sanitary products, kitchen towel, cleaning products and other everyday essentials.

Want to join your local Community Larder? https://www.sofea.uk.com/purpose-projects/community-larder/

Remember... It's open for everyone 😃

More than food. More support.

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🥑🥦🍞 Our Community Larders already help members make their weekly budgets go further, with the opportunity to choose up to 14 items each week worth a minimum of £20.

Now, we're expanding what a larder visit can offer.

Because everyday life is about more than what's in the fridge. By widening what's available, we want to give members more choice, better value and even more practical support from every visit, while ensuring quality donated products are put to good use within local communities.

Please note that these additional products are available at selected Community Larders only. Stocks and product ranges will vary by location and availability.

Launching next week.

🌟 Exploring futures and building confidence at Taylor Wimpey’s Valley Park site - a fantastic experience for our young p...
06/10/2026

🌟 Exploring futures and building confidence at Taylor Wimpey’s Valley Park site - a fantastic experience for our young people.

Our learners had a fantastic opportunity to visit Taylor Wimpey’s Valley Park development and gain valuable insight into the many careers involved in bringing a housing project to life, from planning and design through to construction, sales, and customer service.

The visit gave young people a real understanding of the skills, teamwork, and opportunities available across the industry but also opened up doors to what careers they could take further down the line...

It was inspiring to see learners actively engaging, asking questions, and exploring potential career pathways, with several expressing an interest in future apprenticeships and work opportunities.

We'd just like to say a huge thank you to Taylor Wimpey for providing such an informative and engaging experience and for helping our young people broaden their horizons and build confidence for their future careers.

More choice. Better value. Stronger communities.Something big is coming to selected SOFEA Community Larders, and it laun...
05/10/2026

More choice. Better value. Stronger communities.

Something big is coming to selected SOFEA Community Larders, and it launches on 12th October!

At SOFEA Community Larders, every visit has always been about more than picking up food. It's about making your budget go further, reducing waste, and creating a space built on choice, dignity and community.

Larder members already get access to up to 14 items every week, worth a minimum of £20. Now we're taking things even further.

Through our exciting partnership with In Kind Direct, selected Community Larders will start offering everyday essential items, including hygiene essentials, alongside affordable food.

What does that mean for you?
🛍️ More choice on the shelves
💷 Even better value for your money
🏡 More practical support for your household

Together, we're helping create healthier homes, stronger communities and more welcoming spaces for everyone.

👉 Don't miss out. Join the Larder today!

The Community Larder is open to everyone. Sign up before 12th October so you're ready from day one.

Find out more and join: https://www.sofea.uk.com/purpose-projects/community-larder/

Stock can vary. Available at selected Community Larders.

02/10/2026

Yesterday morning, SOFEA hosted our NEET to Next event at Aiimi HQ, and we're still thinking about it!

Charities, education providers, local government and employers all came together for one reason: to make things better for young people in Milton Keynes.

The moment that stayed with all of us was hearing from four young people who have been NEET themselves. They shared their stories openly and honestly, and they reminded everyone in the room why this work matters.

We also heard inspiring insights from: SOFEA: Richard Kennell, Noel McCarthy Paul Richard Cheesbrough, Aiimi - Rebecca Trowell, Milton Keynes City Council - Gayle Fothergill , YMCA South Midlands - Simon Green and Milton Keynes College - Amy Langford, all showcasing the innovative ways they are supporting young people into education, work and a brighter future. With NEET numbers rising across the UK, the question we kept coming back to was what more we can do together.

What we loved most was how willing everyone was to collaborate. People swapped ideas, offered support and made real commitments to make sure no young person gets left behind!

Milton Keynes has a growing network of organisations that genuinely care, and it shows. Together, we can build a city where every young person has the support they need to learn, work and look forward to their future.

Thank you to everyone who came, spoke and helped make it happen. We'd love to see you again soon.

💚 Want to be part of it? Whether you're an employer, a school or college, or someone who wants to support our young people, get in touch with Gary Steyn at the SOFEA team, message us here or visit sofea.uk.com.

Address

SOFEA Unit 1e, Trident Business Park,. SOFEA Unit 14 Dawson Road, Bletchley, Milton Keynes, MK1 1LJ
Didcot
OX117HJ

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 4pm

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