Founder of Cotgrave Community Kitchen celebrated by the Prime Minister

Jill Mathers, the founder of the Cotgrave Community Kitchen, was celebrated as one of Rushcliffe’s leading community champions, by the Prime Minister at 10 Downing Street last week, having been invited by Rushcliffe MP Ruth Edwards. 

The event saw MPs from across the country bring together community champions from their constituency, to meet the Prime Minister and thank them for their enormous contribution to their local communities. Other champions present included representatives of local charities, veterans and faith organisations, who have made a real difference in their community. 

Jill and her incredible team of 24 volunteers run the Cotgrave Community Kitchen, which collects food that would otherwise go to waste, from local supermarkets.

Instead, they sell some of the produce in their local supermarket and use the rest to cook hot meals for local community groups, such as the Metropolitan residents in Cotgrave and students at Ash Lea school.

They also grow their own produce in the Cotgrave Community Garden which helps support over 160 people every week. 

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Ruth has worked with Jill and the Cotgrave Community Kitchen team, and she was previously invited to open their new shop. 

Ruth said “I was so pleased to be able to bring Jill to 10 Downing Street to have the amazing work that she and her team do recognised by the Prime Minister. 

“Cotgrave Community Kitchen is an amazing organisation, and I am so proud of Jill and all her volunteers. They do amazing work and I look forward to helping out in the kitchen and the community garden again soon. 

Jill said “It was amazing that Cotgrave Community Kitchen was invited to No.10 for the Community Champion reception! 

“It was fabulous meeting Rishi Sunak and catching up with Ruth. I want to thank her for nominating me on behalf of the team.” 

“We are all very honoured to have been recognized for our hard work and it was a pleasure to represent the amazing volunteers who make the community kitchen what it is.”

The Cotgrave Community Kitchen is open to everyone and if you want to get involved.