Gloucestershire Gateway Trust

Gloucester Services celebrates 10 years!

Gloucester Services is celebrating 10 Years of a groundbreaking business and charity partnership with Gloucestershire Gateway Trust. Since opening their doors in the summer of 2014, the partnership has created over 400 quality jobs, invested over 4 million pounds in local community initiatives, supported 130 local producers within 30 miles and offered employment initiatives to over 100 people facing barriers to help train them for permanent employment.

Up to 3 pence in every pound of non-fuel sales at the services is reinvested in local community projects. In the last 10 years over 4 million pounds have been reinvested through Gloucestershire Gateway Trust into community projects and development activity to support regeneration.

Sarah Dunning, Chair of Westmorland Family said, “It’s hard to comprehend that 10 years have passed since we opened, and it feels quite emotional to have reached this milestone. Our original vision was simple. We wanted to create a building sensitive to its surrounding landscape. We wanted to create a platform for local farmers and producers to sell their produce. We wanted to be a good local employer, helping in particular those who struggle to find work. And we wanted to connect with our local communities, making a difference to those who need it.”

Sarah Dunning, Chair of Westmorland Family and Mark Gale, Chief Executive of Gloucestershire Gateway Trust pictured at Gloucester Services. Picture by Clint Randall

Gloucester Services, where it all began:

In 2007, conversations started on the local social housing estate of Matson in Gloucester about how to turn the M5 motorway into an asset to create local jobs and sustainable income.

Mark Gale, Chief Executive of Gloucestershire Gateway Trust searched for a partner that shared the same set of values as the Trust to deliver the project. His research led him to Sarah Dunning, Chair of Westmorland Family. He instantly knew the fit was right and a unique partnership between the charity and business was formed, with both having a stake in the business and how it is run

Gloucester Services opened its doors of the northbound carriageway of the M5 in 2014. The southbound services followed shortly after in July 2015, opened by King Charles in 2015, who himself is a champion of sustainability.

A Flourishing Supplier Base

Gloucester Services Farmshop and Kitchen proudly works with more than 130 local producers within a 30-mile radius of its location and a further 70 from the Southwest. Many of the producers have been part of the journey since inception. The Services’ is committed to working with its longstanding producers to develop new products and nurturing new businesses and to help them grow.

Bini Ludlow, who makes authentic Indian curries is another business who credits Gloucester Services with contributing to her success,

“When we first started to supply the services, we were very much a “kitchen table” business, making the curries from our home kitchen. The confidence that they showed in our products gave us the courage to invest in a production unit which has grown our business enormously. Without Gloucester Services, I don’t think we’d be where we are today.”

Local jobs for Local People

Gloucester Services is passionate about the local community and together with the Gloucestershire Gateway Trust, the ‘Bridging the Gap’ programme was created to help people experiencing barriers to work – such as disability, learning difficulties, language, or lack of skills – boost their skills and confidence, and have a guaranteed interview for real job roles at Gloucester Services. Since 2021, over 70 people have completed the course with the majority of candidates being offered a role at the services.

Mark Gale explains why this programme is so important; “Bridging the Gap helps local residents seeking work to boost their confidence and employability. We do this through skills training, on-site work experience and offering a guaranteed job interview at Gloucester Services. This programme has enabled whole families to gain employment with us bringing diversity and inclusivity to the services.”

Ryan Dix joined Gloucester Services after completing the Bridging the Gap, in just 18 months in his role Ryan was named Colleague of the Year for the whole of the Westmorland Family business.

Gloucester Services colleague Ryan with GGT’s Community Support Manager Clare Skivington during the Bridging the Gap course
Picture by Andrew Higgins/Thousand Word Media

“Before I joined the services, I was pretty low, my apprenticeship didn’t work out and I was really struggling. When I got the job, I was absolutely over the moon. I’ve gained so much confidence in my work and I really feel I’ve found my right place. This job has changed my life. I’ve made friends, met great people and found a rewarding role I love. When I won colleague of the year it blew my mind, doing a job well, and being recognised for it, is really satisfying.”

Community Grants

Through this pioneering model of social investment, since 2017 over £2 million pounds of community grants have been invested in community partners by the Gloucestershire Gateway Trust.

Core funding has been provided to 12 local community partners who each receive £60,000 over three years, which has enabled these vital organisations to make a difference locally. A further £200,000 in one-off community grants has helped many other local community organisations and schools.

Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust (GWT) have been a core-funded community partner since from the outset and have received £20,000 per year for eight years in community development funding.

Nicola Simpson, Head of Engagement at GWT said: “The funding we have received from GGT has allowed us to expand our outreach into our local communities, allowing us to offer many free events and activities to engage residents with nature and wildlife.”

Families enjoying the green space at Robinswood Hill. — Families enjoying the green space at Robinswood Hill

The funding also supported “Return to the Hill”, improving accessibility to Robinswood Hill for people with limited mobility and encouraging year-round use; celebrating generations and sharing the stories of people’s involvement with the Hill; and diversifying the audiences who use the Hill.

Play Gloucestershire is another core-funded community partner, Ben Morris, Director of Play said: “The financial support from Gloucestershire Gateway Trust has funded a Director of Play role, enhancing leadership, program quality, and organisational resilience. This allows us to directly support children and families across Gloucestershire, through the power of play, with improved support for our staff and young volunteers.”

The Blackbridge Community Sports Hub, a new youth, community and sports hub in Podsmead, is currently being built with support from The Gloucestershire Gateway Trust. The seed funding from Gloucester Services has enabled the community group to attract vital match funding from the local councils, sporting bodies, government and the business community to bring this £6.2 million project to fruition providing access to youth and community services alongside quality sport provision in an area where there is no provision of this kind.

New Limited Edition launches!

Exciting times as Smokin’ Beets sauce hits the shelves, created by Year 9 students from Gloucester Academy working with local legend Tom Hughes of Tubby Tom’s, as part of our third Limited Edition course.

Year 9 students from Gloucester Academy pictured with Tubby Tom's at Gloucester Services

Earlier this year, the students completed the Limited Edition business skills course, which was created by us in collaboration with Gloucester Services, to give aspiring food entrepreneurs the opportunity to learn how to create a product from scratch and bring it to market.

The course started with a visit to Tubby Tom’s HQ and the Gloucester Services Farmshop to really get the creative juices flowing, followed by some classroom based sessions where the students learnt about everything from costing to pitching their product to a panel.

One of the students from Gloucester Academy pictured taking a selfie with Tom Hughes of Tubby Tom's and Lucy Blick, Associate Assistant Head Teacher.

At the end of the course the students pitched two sauces to a panel, with Smokin’ Beets the overall winner, going straight into production at Tubby Tom’s.

Towards the end of the summer term we invited the students back in with Tom to see the product they had created on the shelves! Lucy Blick, Associate Assistant Head Teacher at Gloucester Academy said:

“The Year 9 pupils involved with the project ranged from a variety of backgrounds, attainment, attendance and friendship groups, but all applied to take part in this opportunity to propel their business skills. The impact is arguably immeasurable, from a shy group of students with seemingly nothing in common to now a supportive team who feel confident articulating their ideas to both peers and adult stakeholders alike. We as a community are so grateful for this opportunity.”

The course may have also sparked some future entrepreneurs, as one student said:

“I’ve always had an idea for running a business, it’s always been at the back of my mind, but this has really encouraged it.”

Bottles of the new Limited Edition Smokin' Beets sauce on the shelves at Gloucester Services.

Smokin’ Beets will be on sale exclusively in the Gloucester Services Farmshops as a Limited Edition product from July 2024. This Limited Edition course was funded by One Gloucestershire with the support of the Gloucestershire Employment and Skills Hub, and delivered with help from The Engine CIC and Fair Shares Community Timebanks.

Finding producers of the future on our doorstep

Supporting local producers has been at the heart of Gloucester Services ever since the vision of creating somewhere for motorists to stop and sample what the area has to offer was first put forward by residents.

You might already know that over 130 producers based within 30 miles have their products available from the M5 services, and in the last quarter of 2023 we at GGT were delighted to introduce and support four new producers from the communities we work alongside.

Hot new product in the deli

Our most recent addition in mid-December was Shakera Catering, after we tasted her world-class samosas at The Friendship Café in the Barton area of Gloucester and knew they’d be perfect for the Gloucester Services Farmshop deli.

Deli specialist Su and Head of Food Offer Alex with a selection of the new samosas available at the Gloucester Services Farmshop

Shakera, who has lived in Gloucester since moving here from India in 1998, learnt to cook from her mother and grandmother and now has help from her whole family to run her new business – Shakera Catering. Her products include Punjabi Potato and Pea, wheat free vegetable and the fabulous ring doughnut samosa. After working closely with Clare from GGT and Westmorland Buyer Alex, the samosas have been flying out of the deli and sold over 1,300 units in the first three weeks.

“Working with Gloucester Services has been an incredible journey for my samosa and catering business. The process of becoming a new producer was seamless, and the enthusiasm and care shown by the team has truly made a difference. Seeing my samosas become a hit at Gloucester Services has not only boosted my confidence but also opened doors for future possibilities. I am grateful for the opportunity to be working with Gloucester Services who value local producers, and I’m excited about the prospect of expanding my business with their continued support.”
Shakera Ussenbai

Shakera and her family delivering the first batch of samosas to Gloucester Services

Festive decorations give a new producer wings

In the same building as The Friendship Café in Barton, Gloucester, is the Emma Willis Sewing Studio, who we’d met before and been in awe of both the skills and the sense of community in the room. Run by Aysha Randera, women of all faiths and backgrounds meet their weekly to sew, crochet and share friendship.

Women from the sewing group who meet weekly at the Emma Willis Sewing Room in Gloucester, photographed at Gloucester Services

We saw some of the beautiful items they were handcrafting and knew we needed to introduce them to our colleagues at Westmorland, and a few months later a collaboration was born that saw the women produce over 600 artisan decorations – including hand sewn birds made from recycled saris and delicately crocheted stars and bells – to be sold at Gloucester Services in the lead up to Christmas.

“In my heart I always knew this would be something special. It’s given people a sense of belonging.”
Aysha Randera

Watch this short film to see the journey of the women’s community group to the Gloucester Services Farmshop

Using our loaf

As well as supporting people who are already producing, we also nurture aspiring local food entrepreneurs through our Limited Edition course. In 2023 four people took part, learning the business skills needed to create, market and launch a new product but it wasn’t just theoretical.

The group created the Milk Loaf with Fenugreek – which was produced by our friends at Hobbs House Bakery and went on sale in the Gloucester Services Farmshops at the end of September, and sold 573 units up until the end of December.

The Milk Loaf with Fenugreek created on the Limited Edition business skills course baked by Hobbs House Bakery

Originally from the Philippines, Viva O’Flynn moved to the UK in 2018 and took part in Limited Edition. “I’m grateful for the opportunity to develop my business skills for free, it has been inspiring and life changing. I have been to Gloucester Services many times and imagined what it would be like to have my products sold there. Taking part in the Limited Course has helped me to understand what buyers are looking for and I have learnt so much from the tutor and the other participants. I wish more people could experience this course.”
Viva O’Flynn

The Limited Edition group with the Milk Loaf with Fenugreek that they created — Wanja, Viva, Ashwin and Norma with the loaf they created as part of the Limited Edition business skills course, pictured at Gloucester Services

A true partnership

Plus, some of our community partners also produce products to raise funds for their organisations. Read With Me – who mobilise teams of volunteers to go into schools all over Gloucestershire to read with children and help develop a love of reading – produced Christmas cards.

After an introduction to the Farmshop the cards were soon on the shelves and sold 140 packs to support the organisation’s need to meet the demand of more schools and year groups wanting the Read With Me offer.

Crystal and Linda from Read With Me with GGT’s Community Support Manager Clare at Gloucester Services

Clare Skivington, GGT’s Community Support Manager said: “There are so many local people with such amazing talent, it’s been a real privilege to work alongside our committed buying team and supportive colleagues in Gloucester to bring people’s dreams come true, helping them to bring their products to the renowned farm shop at Gloucester Services. The time thought and energy that goes into supporting our new community suppliers has been fantastic and we are looking forward to hearing where their journey takes them next.“

If you are a local producer and are interested in having your products stocked at Gloucester Services, please go to https://westmorlandfamily.com/become-a-producer/ to find out more.

Deck the halls with something really special

As Christmas fast approaches, if you’re looking for a unique and locally produced decoration or gift, you can now buy the most beautifully handcrafted Christmas birds, stars and bells – created by a community group in a Gloucester sewing studio – exclusively at Gloucester Services and Tebay Services.

It’s a project that’s been in the making since March, when we took some Gloucester Services producers, along with colleagues from the Westmorland Lifestyle team to meet some of our amazing community partners. Whilst at The Friendship Café to see Fair Shares, we also arranged to call in to the Emma Willis Sewing Studio, run by Aysha Randera, and that’s where the story begins…

Watch our short film: this year’s Christmas story, as a community group handcrafts decorations for Westmorland, to be sold at Gloucester Services and Tebay Services

The Westmorland Lifestyle team instantly loved what was being produced in the sewing studio and saw a fantastic opportunity, and conversations began about commissioning Christmas decorations to be sold in the Farmshops at Gloucester Services.

“I’d been looking for the perfect opportunity to introduce the sewing studio to Westmorland as I knew it could be a great connection. We’re always keen to bring in local producers, especially those in the communities we work alongside. Even better that this is a community group of women who all support each other and produce such unique handcrafted pieces. We were over the moon when they were commissioned for the Christmas decorations!”
Clare Skivington, GGT’s Community Support Manager

Work started immediately, and Aysha had a fantastic idea to use fabric from donated saris to create Christmas birds, each one unique and special, crafted from fabric that had been on its own special journey. Aysha also asked Sue, a retired teacher and keen crochet artisan, to create designs for two more decorations, and the bells and stars were born.

Aysha Randera who runs the Emma Willis Sewing Studio shows Tracey Clowes from Westmorland some of the bears they had produced for a project to support Ukraine

“When I first met Aysha and the sewing room group I was blown away by their creativity, their community, and their ability to make beautiful individual pieces each with its own personality. Having the gorgeous Christmas decorations that they have made on our shelves at the services feels like a fabulous first step towards us being able to both celebrate their skills and make commercial products that customers can also enjoy.”
Tracey Clowes, Head of Lifestyle at Westmorland

Commissioning over 600 decorations in total and each bird, bell and star individually crafted by hand, the women of the sewing studio had a huge job in front of them, but they pulled together with everyone finding a task and wow did they exceed our expectations!

Emma, who suffered a serious car accident a few years ago, played a huge role in supporting the project and helping the other women to develop their own skills and confidence. She said: “I’ve gone a long time, and lots of years thinking that I can’t do things. Now I’m part of something really big and I can do it, and I’ve just enjoyed it so much.”

Some of the women who created the Christmas decorations at the sewing studio in Gloucester

As part of the opportunity, Aysha created the Amanah Community CIC. Aysha said: “In my heart I always knew this would be something special. It’s given people a sense of belonging. Thank you to Westmorland Family for this incredible opportunity, and to Gloucestershire Gateway Trust for supporting us throughout this process.”

You can now purchase these fantastic and unique Christmas decorations in the Farmshops at Gloucester Services and Tebay Services.

From farm to the local community; Wholly Gelato are proud to be a Gloucester Services supplier

Written by Will Lee, Wholly Gelato

“As small businesses, we often feel so stretched in terms of time, resource, energy, capability, often all at the same time. Though we go about our work with a passion and a determination to see our products thrive and sales soar, all too often it can result in us feeling as if we are in some sort of “bubble,” inadvertently exiled from anything “non-business” related. For our dairy farm business, we have come to the end of a busy summer season, straight into autumn calving and preparations for the opening of our new gelato bar in Gloucester Food Dock – probably about as much of a “bubble” as you can imagine.

Emily and Will from Wholly Gelato, who offer award-winning gelato and free range milk from their farm in Elmore, Gloucester

Which is why our visit to some of Gloucestershire Gateway Trust’s community partners was exactly what we needed at exactly the right time. Spending the day hearing about some of the most inspiring and worthwhile causes in different communities across our city, and seeing just how much is happening, really propelled us from our day-to-day worries and opened our eyes to some of the most generously kind and hard-working people, striving to make lives better for those of all ages and stages, in times of great need and uncertainty. At multiple points throughout the day, Emily and I turned to each other and remarked how important we felt this day was to focus us away from our usual day to day concerns, and open our eyes to the far more legitimate concerns and needs of others – truly humbling.

Though we knew of the partnership Gloucester Services had with Gloucestershire Gateway Trust, we were not totally aware of just how deep and enduring that connection was. Growing up in Gloucester, we can recall the initial outcry when the services was first proposed – but to hear of the way in which the local community in Matson (and wider) really fought for the concept, and to see what the concept has transpired to be, shows the value of perseverance in the face of opposition.

Also joining the Community Day were fellow producers from Non-Solo Pasta, Gloucester Biltong and The Artisan Baker, as well as colleagues from Gloucester Services and the buying team from Westmorland – pictured here at Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust on Robinswood Hill

We have always felt proud to be a Gloucester Services supplier. The values that the Westmorland Family promote are so tangible for all the many hundreds of businesses that are privileged enough to see their products and wares on the shelves – but to know of just how impactful the sales are for the partners that we visited and the people they support, makes us feel doubly proud of the relationship. As a Christian business, we have always tried to follow the mantra of “be blessed to bless others.” Yet there can be no clearer example than in that which we were privileged to see on the day we came out of our bubble.

We would so encourage other businesses (when given the opportunity) to visit these amazing teams and places – as businesses we can always learn from others around us, and the values with which they go about what they do. This is one of the most valuable and important things we have done this year – we wish all partners every success with all ongoing projects and initiatives.”

Emily and Will hear from GL Communities Wellbeing Coach about some of the support they provide to the local community.

Wholly Gelato were also joined by several other Gloucester Services producers, including The Artisan Baker, Non Solo Pasta and Gloucester Biltong, along with colleagues from Gloucester Services and several members of the Westmorland Buying Team. Together, the group ventured around the city visiting a number of our brilliant community partners including The Ewe Space, GL Communities, Play Gloucestershire, Fair Shares and Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust, providing the opportunity for them to see first hand the direct impact selling their produce at Gloucester Services has on the local community.

Gloucestershire Gateway Trust receives up to 3p in every £1 of non-fuel sales from Gloucester Services to invest in our local communities.

A new limited edition goes on sale at Gloucester Services

Hot on the heels of the Channel 4 series ‘A Cotswold Farmshop’, four budding food entrepreneurs from Gloucester who took part in the ‘Limited Edition’ business skills course today saw the product they created from scratch go on sale at the award-winning Gloucester Services Farmshops.

The ‘Limited Edition’ course – a unique collaboration between Gloucester Services, Gloucestershire Gateway Trust and Hobbs House Bakery – was created to give aspiring food producers from Gloucestershire the opportunity to learn the end-to-end business skills needed to launch a product and create something real that would go on sale.

At the Gloucester Services bread table – with the Limited Edition participants, Gloucestershire Gateway Trust, Hobbs House Bakery, Westmorland and The Engine CIC

The only brief was to create a bakery product to join the enticing bread table that welcomes M5 motorway travellers with fresh local produce. After carrying out product research and visiting Hobbs House Bakery for an insight to production, the group began to learn how to work up their ideas including costings, pricing strategies and marketing. Three ideas were pitched to a panel of judges and the winning recipe was a unique Milk Loaf with Fenugreek.

Childhood inspiration

The team’s inspiration for a milk loaf stemmed from childhood memories of light and fluffy freshly baked bread, adding fenugreek for its health benefits and to acknowledge the diversity of Gloucester, and the team themselves. Course participants Wanja and Norma grew up eating milk loaf in Kenya, whilst Ashwin came up with the idea of adding Fenugreek which is well known in his native India for its health benefits.

The Limited Edition summer 2023 course participants from left to right – Wanja, Viva, Ashwin and Norma

Originally from the Philippines, the fourth participant on the course Viva O’Flynn moved to the UK in 2018 and started her own business. Viva said:

“I’m grateful for the opportunity to develop my business skills for free, it has been inspiring and life changing. I have been to Gloucester Services many times and imagined what it would be like to have my products sold there. Taking part in the Limited Edition course has helped me to understand what buyers are looking for and I have learnt so much from the tutor and the other participants. I wish more people could experience this course.”

Hobbs House Bakery made the product a reality and the Milk Loaf with Fenugreek is now on sale and can be found on the bread table at the front of the Farmshops, alongside a QR code to allow customers to find out more about the unique product.

The Limited Edition Milk Loaf with Fenugreek was inspired by childhood memories

This Limited Edition course was funded by Adult Education in Gloucestershire, part of Gloucestershire County Council, through the national Multiply adult numeracy programme, and delivered by local social enterprise The Engine Room CIC.

Charlie Marwood, Top Cog at The Engine Room which is based in Dursley, said:

“Working with a small group of enthusiastic entrepreneurs enabled us to focus on the principles behind good business practice. The team developed product ideas, carried out research, learnt about production techniques and built budgets to support everything from marketing, pricing strategy, cost analysis, profit margins and potential discounting to bring a successful new product to Gloucester Services Farmshop. The course has delivered skills, growth, confidence, ambition and friendships. I am particularly grateful for the enthusiasm and hard work of all involved. A fabulous course to be involved with – thank you all.”

Jason Dunsford, Head of Neighbourhood Learning and Work at Gloucestershire Gateway Trust said:

“In addition to reinvesting up to 3p in every £1 spent at Gloucester Services in our communities, we are passionate about connecting local people to the business through jobs, creative opportunities and as suppliers. This course was about improving business maths and marketing skills but also to raise the confidence of people looking to take that next big step to start or develop their business idea. We are committed to finding and nurturing talent from our local communities and excited to see what the future holds for this course’s participants.”

Now they’re scone

Now they’re scone

The first Limited Edition course which ran at the end of last year saw participants from the GEM Project create the ‘GEM Scones’, which celebrated local produce with the use of local apples and Double Gloucester cheese in the ingredients.

The GEM Scones were on sale as a Limited Edition product in the Gloucester Services Farmshop during November and December and sold over 600 packs.

The GEM Scones were created by participants on the Autumn 2022 Limited Edition course

Find out more about the Limited Edition course and watch our short film.

Stitching a piece of history

“I am a freelance costume maker born, raised, and based in Gloucester. I graduated in BA Costume Design and Making at Nottingham Trent University in 2018 and have since been working at various costume studios, workrooms and independently at my studio pod working in collaboration with designers, directors, prop makers, start-up fashion brands and now, with the community.

Katie with a panel that has been stitched for the Costume of Gloucester, and is currently on display in the Gloucestershire Gateway Trust Community Gallery at Gloucester Services Northbound

To support my studies, in 2016 I applied for a position at Gloucester Services as a team member in the Quick Kitchen, coming home from Nottingham to work during the holiday periods. I really enjoyed the fast-paced environment, getting to meet such a variety of people every day and working within a fun, close-knit team. I have been coming back part-time since, and still return there in between my freelance projects!

I have been wanting to expand into community arts for a while now and to connect with local organisations and develop a greater sense of vocation in my work (using my skills to help others). So of course, I was very pleased when I bumped into Jacqui Grange, creative director of Voices, Gloucester, who was on the lookout for a costume maker for their Threads 2023 programme. After later meeting with the project co-ordinator, Jo Teague, and hearing all about the ideas they had for a ‘Costume of Gloucester’, I knew I had to help them realise their vision!

The ‘Red Dress’ on display earlier this year at The Friendship Café in Gloucester

The project is inspired by the beautiful ‘Red Dress’ by artist Kirstie Macleod (https://reddressembroidery.com) which features the work of 375 embroiders from 51 countries, documenting the stories of people who otherwise may not have their voice heard. The Costume of Gloucester aims to do this on a smaller scale, helping to promote the talent of local stitchers in the community but to also tell the history, stories and memories of the city.

Katie’s design for The Costume of Gloucester

My role within the project is to design, and then make, the costume which will be worn on Gloucester Day parade and then place and stitch over 100 pieces of embroidered cloth that will be submitted towards the end of July by the local community. I have decided on making a panelled coat that is gender-neutral with a nod to historical dress such as doublets from the Tudor period. It will feature flared sleeves that the performer will hold up so the embroideries can be showcased at the parade.

Having worked at Gloucester Services for over 6 years, I know they value sharing community projects, local creatives and promoting the hard work that their colleagues do, therefore I reached out to Gloucestershire Gateway Trust (a community charity who have shared ownership of Gloucester Services) about displaying some of the work for the costume. It was amazing to see the gallery in person for the first time, seeing some of the initial stitches that will contribute to the costume and knowing that the work will be seen by summer visitors. I felt very proud to be involved in such a fantastic, ambitious project!

For the main fabric of the costume, I have chosen a lovely aqua green colour, sourced from the local Gloucestershire Resource Centre. Growing up, I was known to rock full outfits in this colour, and I’ve always been drawn to cool tones, so I guess that is my own personal touch!

The early stages of constructing The Costume of Gloucester

I’m currently in the early stages of construction, but what I’m most looking forward to is to begin receiving the panels from the local stitchers in July and start piecing together the puzzle of how they will placed on the costume! I really enjoy the logistics and problem solving side of costume making, there is a lot of maths involved as well as using your designers eye! And, of course, I absolutely can’t wait to see the costume in action on Gloucester Day and on exhibition at the cathedral in September, to be able to meet everyone involved in the project and hear their stories!”

You can see lots more photos, designs and stitched panels on display in the Gloucestershire Gateway Trust Community Gallery at Gloucester Services Northbound, in the corridor leading to the seating area that runs past the toilets and behind the Kitchen.

Our gift from France

“Hi. I am a French student my name is Tom and I am 18. In early 2023 I came to England for five weeks to study the Gloucestershire Gateway Trust (GGT) by being involved in some of it’s support charities. Coming here was for me the opportunity to discover the business model of the GGT, meet different kinds of people that I don’t normally meet and improve my English.

French student Tom pictured at the Gloucester Services Farmshop during his visit.

During these five weeks, I visited a lot of partners working with GGT but I was principally involved in four of them.

The first was “Read With Me”, my job was to go to two schools 2 or 3 times a week and read with individual children to practice and improve their reading.

The second was “The Venture” , a children’s play area. I went there twice a week to do some activities with children after school like face painting, playing outside or making music.

The third was “Renew” at the Matson Baptist Church and my job was to spend some time with older people to have a chat or play some games on Friday mornings.

The last one was “The Food Drop”, my mission was to help to organise the food collected from stores to be distributed to people who needed it.

Thanks to all these organisations and to some meetings which I attended, I know more about the business model of Gloucester Services and how it’s beneficial for all local people. It has created 400 jobs for local people giving opportunities to earn a living. In addition, up to 3p in every £1 spent there comes to GGT to go back into the communities they work with. Then the community groups can do their best to help local people, so it’s beneficial for everybody.

In my time here I did a lot of things but some of them will stick in my mind. For example, the kindness of everybody to me whether it was other volunteers or beneficiaries; they were all very lovely with me. I will also remember the smile of the children in school when they are reading a story that they love because for some of them it’s the only moment where they can read to a young French student.

This trip was very interesting also because it was my first time volunteering. Now, I know how good it is to volunteer in a charity because you feel yourself useful for other people and you are helping them to be happy. After this experience, during my life I will want to volunteer again in another charity because I will remember some very good moments and I met a lot of lovely people. I think I was very lucky to be a volunteer in GGT because it’s a big foundation with a lot of charities doing a lot of different things. I don’t know if I will have the opportunity to be in such a big foundation like that again in my life because I have never seen that in another country.

Thanks to this trip I discovered a lot of things about charities and English culture. To finish I think that my favourite activity was to play music with children at The Venture.”

Seeing the real impact

Yesterday we had an inspirational day of togetherness, community learning, connection building and idea sharing, as we welcomed eight brilliant local Gloucester Services producers to join us for a very special outing.

We’re all about making connections and building partnerships, so together we visited some of our community partners so that the producers could see the impact of the investment that we are able to make, thanks to the sales of their produce at Gloucester Services.

From sausage roll producers to clothing specialists, we were delighted to be joined by Cinderhill Farm, Gloucester Brewery, Beaus Bakehouse, Hobbs House Bakery, Godsells Cheese, Humphries and Begg Home, Made in Stroud and ZeroDig, plus several members of the Westmorland Lifestyle Buying Team for an eye-opening, enjoyable trip.

Pictured at The Redwell Centre in Matson

First stop was a visit to The Ewe Space in Matson; taking the group back to where the vision of Gloucester Services began as an idea of local residents, and where Gloucestershire Gateway Trust (GGT) came to be based to make it a reality. The Ewe Space is also now home to the Matson and Robinswood Residents Group, a GGT community partner.

Next door live another of our community partners, the amazing GL4 CIC who bring incredible arts, theatre and culture to Matson, so we popped in to hear about what they have coming up.

We then headed to see our City Works neighbour and community partner Play Gloucestershire, where Director of Play Ben Morris talked about the tremendous work this organisation does to support children, young people and even parents, through active and creative play.

Aysha who runs the Emma Willis Sewing Studio pictured with Tracey, Head of Lifestyle at Westmorland

At community partner Fair Shares, based in Barton and Tredworth, the group learnt about timebanking, which is based on the concept of two-way volunteering to give and receive support within communities. It then got really creative as the group were treated to a special viewing of their woodworking workshop, as well as the Friendship Café ‘Emma Willis’ sewing studio, where Aysha told us all about how the studio started, what they offer and how it supported her own personal journey.

Deborah from Cinderhill Farm admires a table made by a participant in the Fair Shares Woodwork Workshop

Our last community partner stop of the day was back in Matson at The Redwell Centre. Warmly greeted as always by Vanessa Worrall, Project Manager at the Redwell Centre, we had a tour of the building and talked about how this community hub offers support, a safe space and the goal of happiness, through a diverse range of activities, clubs and everyone being welcome.

Mark Gale talks to a Mindfulness Coach who runs sessions at The Redwell Centre

After an extremely informative and motivating morning, the tour finished with a delicious lunch kindly served by Emma Wilson and her team at the Long Table Matson; a community café with the aim to make locally sourced and homemade food available to everyone.

Finishing off with a delicious lunch at The Long Table Matson

“It meant a great deal to meet and see first hand the work that is being done by the communities that inspired and drove Gloucester Services. It really is a remarkable model of a highly effective symbiotic relationship where all parts contribute to and benefit from the core relationships.”
Deborah Flint, Cinderhill Farm

A massive thank you to all of our community partners who took the time to welcome our guests and share such inspiring, heartfelt stories, and of course to the Gloucester Services producers and Westmorland Lifestyle Buying Team for also taking time out of their busy schedules to join us for this event.

Gloucestershire Gateway Trust receives up to 3p in every £1 of non-fuel sales from Gloucester Services to invest in our local communities.

A big welcome to our new trustees

Some great news to start the year, we’re delighted to announce the appointment of two new Trustees who will be joining the Gloucestershire Gateway Trust board from the start of 2023, so a huge welcome to Pip Levett and Monique Smith.

As former Director of Play at Play Gloucestershire, Pip has been working with Gloucestershire Gateway Trust as one of our community foundation partners since the very beginning of our partnership with Westmorland and the creation of Gloucester Services.

“I’m thrilled I’m going to become a Trustee of GGT. It is an incredible charity that is a force for good across Gloucestershire and truly believes in the power of people and communities. I’m looking forward to finding out more about the amazing projects that GGT funds and to use my skills and experience in community development to help them deliver the best possible outcomes for the people that need them most.”
Pip Levett, Trustee

Also joining the GGT board as a Trustee is Monique Smith. Monique manages Gloucestershire’s careers service and has connected many people to the GEM Project and job opportunities at Gloucester Services.

Monique said: “I am really excited and honoured to join the GGT team as a trustee as l feel the work that is accomplished in the community has changed lives and has supported many people and organisations and charities. I am a Gloucester resident and have worked in advice and guidance for over 20 years and would now like to use my knowledge to help continue the good work that the trust do.”
Monique Smith, Trustee

We know that Pip and Monique are going to be a wonderful addition to our team. Chief Executive of GGT Mark Gale summed it up:

“We are delighted that Monique and Pip will be joining our Board of Trustees. Together they bring a wide range of experience in play, learning and skills development from a community perspective. I am certain Pip and Monique will help keep improving the impact of our Trust’s work in these challenging times.”

Read their bios and find out about the rest of our team and trustees on our meet the team page.