Welcome to Diamond Hampers CIC, founded by Lianne, our dedicated owner and director, who strives to transform the landscape of food aid and community support in Huntingdon.

At Diamond Hampers, we believe in bridging the dignity gap by offering not just assistance, but empowerment. Our mission revolves around providing a “hand up” instead of a “hand out,” ensuring that those in crisis receive balanced hampers filled with not only staple goods, but also fresh fruits, vegetables, frozen items, and essential homeware products—an innovative approach that sets us apart from traditional food aid providers.

Over the past six years, our three stores, The Pantry, The Attic and The Toy Chest, have become vital community resources, providing affordable shopping options while maintaining dignity and choice for our customers.

In the Pantry, we invite you to take advantage of our unique fill-a-basket deal for just £5, allowing you to select a variety of fresh and packaged items. The Attic offers quality second-hand clothing, with many items priced at only £1, as well as free or low-cost school uniforms to families facing extreme challenges. Through our efforts, we rescue an incredible 10 to 25 tonnes of food wastage every month, repurposed from local supermarkets and businesses to help meet the needs of our community.

Additionally, we've introduced the Chatty Cafe within our Pantry store, providing a warm and welcoming space for individuals to enjoy hot and cold meals while combatting loneliness and fostering connection. Our Menopause Cafe offers women a supportive environment to share their experiences, equipped with toolkits and expert guest speakers.

The Toy Chest is home to hundreds of good quality second hand and new toys, baby equipment and much more. Offering families the opportunity to access affordable essentials for their families. All the money raised in our store then helps to fund the FREE clubs that we provide to the community.

Together, with our amazing team of volunteers, we are committed to building lasting solutions for our clients, making referrals to external agencies, and empowering individuals to overcome their crises.

Join us in our mission to make a meaningful difference—whether through volunteering, donating, or simply visiting our stores, every effort counts. Thank you for being part of the Diamond Hampers journey, where community and compassion thrive!

At our organisation, we are dedicated to providing comprehensive support for young people transitioning out of care, and we work closely with the County Council to ensure they have the resources they need to thrive in their new independent lives.

One of our key initiatives is the "Moving On Box," a thoughtfully curated package filled with essential household items such as appliances, dinnerware, and basic necessities.

This initiative not only empowers young individuals to establish their own homes but also plays a significant role in reducing the likelihood of engaging in criminal activities to acquire these essential items.

Our commitment to community welfare extends beyond young individuals; we also provide vital support to families facing urgent homelessness situations, such as those affected by domestic abuse, by equipping them with essential supplies to help them rebuild their lives.

In response to the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine, we became a main support hub, successfully coordinating the dispatch of two full lorry containers loaded with food, medical supplies, clothing, and other essentials to those in need.

Our efforts continue in the UK as we assist refugees in settling down and navigating their new beginnings with dignity and support. Furthermore, we are excited to announce the launch of our community Allotment, which serves as a space for growth, education, and connection.

For more information about our initiatives and how you can get involved, please have a look through our website.

Together, we can make a meaningful difference in the lives of individuals and families in need.

**Achievements Over 6 Years:**

- Provided **650,000 meals** to vulnerable individuals.

- Saved **2.9 million kg of CO2** from entering the atmosphere.

- Raised over **£150,000** through various fundraising events.

- Prevented **£1.1 million worth of food** from going to landfill.

- Generated an additional **3.6 million meals** through redirected waste for our Pantry.

- Helped over **2,400 families** transition from crisis to self-sustainability.

**Pioneering Initiatives:**

- Established three shops focusing on affordable living and dignity in accessing food and essential items.

- Initiated a waste redirecting effort that expanded from **10 collections a week** in our early days to **125 collections a week** now, inspiring other organisations to follow suit.

- Launched a unique hamper program, offering a fresh selection of fruits, vegetables, and nutritious foods—an unprecedented service in the local area.

**Community Impact:**

- Last year alone, we successfully assisted over **500 families** in moving away from emergency support, guiding them towards sustainable long-term solutions.

**Awards and Recognition:**

- **Gold Winner** - Lockdown Leader 2021 (Regional Business Awards)

- **Silver Winner** - Community Business of the Year 2021 (Regional Business Awards)

- **Bronze Winner** - Lockdown Leader 2022 (National Business Awards)

- **Bronze Winner** - Business Hero 2022 (National Business Awards)

- **Coronation Champion Award 2023**

- **Gold Winner** - Sustainable Business of the Year 2023 (National Business Awards)

Gold Winner Community Business of the Year 2025 (Cambs Business Awards)

Gold Winner Positive Impact Award (Hunts Business Awards) 2025

Silver Winner Waste Reduction Award (Hunts Business Awards) 2025

Gold Winner Community Business of the Year (National Business Awards 2025)

**Special Commendations:**

- Received commendation letters from Her Majesty The late Queen and His Majesty The King for our community work.

- Attended Buckingham Palace for a garden party celebrating 500 Coronation Champions in the UK.

- Invited by Princess Catherine to a celebration at Westminster Abbey.

- Named **Best Food Hamper Provider in the UK** by LuxLife in 2023.

- Honoured with the **High Sheriff Award** and reached the finals of the Suffolk and Cambridgeshire’s **Muddy Stilettos Awards 2023** in the Best Sustainable Lifestyle Business category.

- Awarded the **Points of Light** award from The Prime Minister.

- Recognised as a **Community Hero** by the Velvet Awards and named one of Huntingdonshire's **Inspirational Women**.

- Received my MBE and commended for my work by HM The King, The Lord Lieutenant, DEFRA and The MP of Huntingdon. 

We are proud to be for the people and the planet, always seeking new ways to support and uplift our community as we enter our 6th year of operation.

At our organisation, we are deeply committed to combating food poverty and eradicating the stigma that often accompanies the act of seeking assistance.

Our passionate team works tirelessly to minimise food waste by rescuing edible food that would otherwise end up in landfills and redistributing it to individuals and families in need.

We focus on empowering our community by equipping them with essential skills and tools that foster independence and sustainability in the long term.

Believing firmly in the philosophy of sharing the world’s resources, we prioritise a “hands up” approach that encourages growth and self-sufficiency rather than simply providing a “hand out.” In doing so, we strive to create a positive impact not only on people but also on the planet, fostering a healthier, more equitable future for all.

Join us in this vital mission to support those in need while nurturing our environment.