“I have a place to go where I always feel welcome.”
Over the past year, pantry members took part in an impact survey, sharing what life felt like before joining and what’s changed since becoming a member - covering food security, wellbeing, finances and community connection. 28 members completed the survey, and their responses paint a clear picture: the pantry is making a meaningful difference, both for individuals and the wider neighbourhood.
Just as importantly, customers also told us where the pantry experience could be better - and we’ve already acted on that feedback to make the space feel fresher, clearer, and more comfortable for everyone.
From the very start, members described the pantry as more than a practical place to shop. Residents told us it feels welcoming, trusted and inclusive - somewhere you can walk into and feel at ease.
That sense of belonging came through strongly in the survey:
- Before joining, 71% of respondents felt they belonged in their neighbourhood
- Since joining, that’s risen to 96%
- And more than half now strongly agree that they feel they belong
For many people, feeling part of the community is the difference between coping alone and feeling supported, and that’s exactly what customers told us the pantry helps with.
Why connection matters
Customers told us the pantry helps people feel less isolated and more connected to others locally - and the survey backs this up.
- 89% of respondents now regularly stop and talk with people in their neighbourhood (up from 71% before joining)
- More than 4 in 5 now feel they have someone nearby they can turn to for advice
These might sound like small changes, but they’re often the building blocks of stronger communities: a chat, a familiar face, someone to ask for help.
Customers said food should feel more secure - and that’s improving too
At its core, the pantry exists to make it easier to access affordable food, and members told us it’s helping.
- Before joining, only 46% of respondents felt they had enough food each week
- Since joining, that’s increased to 82%
As one member put it: “It helps a lot with having food each week.”
Helping customers to eat well
Members also told us the pantry helps them feel more confident trying healthier options, especially when budgets are tight.
Survey responses show:
- More people are eating fruit and vegetables more often
- Over 1 in 5 members now eat fruit and vegetables every day
- Many others have moved from 1–3 days a week to 4–6 days a week
And people told us they’re trying new foods they’d usually avoid because of the risk of wasting money: “Trying new foods I would otherwise pass by as I don’t want to waste money.”
Helping money go that little bit further
The pantry won’t remove financial hardship on its own, but members told us it can make the month feel a little more manageable.
Before joining, many respondents described themselves as “just about getting by” or finding things difficult financially. Since joining, more people report feeling they are “doing alright” or “living comfortably”.
As one member said: “Brought the two ends a little closer together. Things are a little easier thanks to the pantry.”
Wellbeing improves when support feels human
Alongside food and finances, members talked about the wellbeing impact - and that came through in the survey too:
- More people now rate their health as good, very good or excellent
- People mentioned reduced stress, improved mood, and feeling a sense of purpose
This reflects what customers told us again and again: when support is delivered with kindness and you can connect with others, it benefits wellbeing, not just budgets.
Customers said the café needed a refresh - so we refreshed it
As part of listening to people’s experience of the space, customers told us the café was starting to look tired.
So we acted: the café has been repainted internally, giving it a fresher, brighter feel - a simple change that helps the space reflect what it’s there to be: welcoming, warm and well cared for.
Clearer expectations around behaviour
Customers also told us they wanted clearer expectations about behaviour in the café, and reassurance about what would happen if situations felt uncomfortable.
In response, we’ve created a Code of Conduct that sets out:
- the behaviour we expect from everyone using the space
- how café staff will respond if someone feels uncomfortable
- how Abri will support staff and customers to keep the café welcoming and respectful
This is about making sure Round About Café feels safe and comfortable for everyone because it’s a community space, and everyone deserves to feel at ease there.
We’ll keep listening
The strongest message from this survey is that the pantry is doing what it was created to do: helping people access food, feel connected, and reduce pressure - while building a community space where people feel welcome.
And because customer's also told us what needs improving, we’re able to keep making changes that make the Round About Cafe Pantry experience better.