Kendal Dental Care has become the first official Corporate Champion of Waste into Wellbeing (WIW), a grassroots project tackling food waste and community wellbeing.
WIW reaches hundreds of people each month through its People’s Café, Community Larder, Lunch Bunch, Cookalongs and guest events — all powered by more than 90 volunteers. In 2024 alone, WIW rescued over 40 tonnes of surplus food, created nearly 2,000 meals, fed 600 people at events and distributed 6,500 bags of food. The project also saved carbon emissions equivalent to a petrol-car driving 640,000 miles.
The Corporate Champions programme invites local businesses to support this mission through donations, hosting events or providing in-kind help. In return, Champions gain community recognition and contribute to a healthier, more sustainable Kendal.
As well as committing to a monthly financial donation, Kendal Dental Care is supporting a series of Kids Cookalongs. These fun, family-friendly sessions help young chefs prepare nutritious, low-cost meals such as red lentil dahl or Spanish rice — all while learning valuable cooking skills, trying new foods and reducing food waste. The events are open to children aged six years plus and donations are invited from those booking places.
Principal Dentist and Director Stuart Crook said: “As a business, it makes perfect sense to support something that improves health, reduces waste, and strengthens our local community. Our dental practice has been part of Kendal for 150 years and we’re proud to give something back.”
Three team members have so far joined the monthly Cookalong sessions, including Emily Gardner, Deputy Practice Manager. She said: “It was a lot of fun, and great to be part of a group cooking together and eating together. In many homes it’s usually a solo act. I also met some of our patients in a whole new setting. Supporting this work fits with our business sustainability goals, and resonates with our patients who’ve told us that they also care about what happens to our environment.”
Stacy Hurley, WIW Development Manager, said: “We’re delighted to have Kendal Dental Care on board. Their support is already making an impact, and their financial commitment helps us plan for the future. We hope more businesses will follow their lead to help make Kendal a place where everyone can enjoy good food, connection, and purpose.”
More information about Corporate Champions can be found on the WIW website here.
Details of all Cookalong events can be found on the Community Events 2025 page of WIW’s website
Waste into Wellbeing is a project of South Lakes Action on Climate Change – Towards Transition.
