United Communities is proud to celebrate the remarkable achievements of five pupils from Marlborough Road Academy in Salford, who have become the youngest people in the UK to launch a community pantry, in partnership with Your Local Pantry.
As part of United Learning’s Student Leadership Programme, Year 5 pupils Makayla, Ahmad, Retaj, Ayman and Mustafa worked together to design, develop and open a pantry at the Marlborough Community Hub, a community space located on the school grounds. Supported by staff and the hub’s community development team, the pupils set out to create a project that would strengthen local connections and provide practical support for families.
Over the course of the year, the group explored how they could make a meaningful difference to their community. With support from Your Local Pantry, they visited an established pantry in Stockport and worked closely with families to explain how the pantry model works. With 48 first languages spoken across the school, the pupils played a key role in translating information and ensuring the project was accessible to all.
The young people’s focus was to create a fair, welcoming space that brings people together. Ayman, one of the pupil leaders, said the group wanted “help with the financial situation and help people come together”, while Ahmad highlighted the importance of helping the community by “lowering costs and making it more affordable”. Fellow pupils Retaj, Makayla and Mustafa spoke of their pride in creating something that would “comfort and help people” and continue to grow in the years ahead.
The pantry was initially ready to open last year but suffered significant damage following an electrical fire the day after its soft launch. Undeterred, the pupils continued their work while the space underwent major repairs, operating a temporary pop‑up stall until the pantry could be rebuilt. It was completed in time for the pupils to see the finished project before moving on to secondary school this summer.
Judith Richens, Community Development Lead at Marlborough Community Hub, praised the pupils’ dedication:
“The children have been exceptional. Their leadership, communication and commitment to helping others have been inspiring. The pantry is not just a food space – it is a place for people to meet, connect and support one another. Our aim is for this hub to be a space created by the community, for the community, and the pupils have played a huge part in making that vision real.”
The pantry is delivered in partnership with Your Local Pantry. Alongside a wide range of affordable groceries, the hub also includes an allotment developed by last year’s pupil project, growing produce such as rhubarb, onions, raspberries, strawberries, garlic and potatoes, as well as edible hedgerows created with City of Trees. The school uses the allotment both for school meals and to supply fresh fruit and vegetables to pantry members, helping to reduce the school’s carbon footprint.
The pantry will run weekly daytime and evening sessions, with the evening opening also serving as a Barnardo’s drop‑in for young people aged 16–20 who are living independently. Additional stock is sourced through partnerships with Neighbourly, Aldi and M&S, and a small café area will provide a welcoming space for families to socialise.
Shumaila Taswir, lead volunteer and parent of one of the pupil leaders, said:
“I hope the pantry brings the community together and supports people during difficult times. Here, families can choose what they need and feel comfortable doing so.”
United Communities is delighted to support Marlborough Community Hub in this work and to celebrate the leadership, creativity and compassion shown by the pupils who brought this project to life.