Charlotte Ward is the owner of the award winning Norfolk Jar Kitchen, based in Heacham. Here, Charlotte explains why the company has created a bespoke £5 hamper of goodies, providing treats for young people in supported living, over the Christmas season
When did you first have the idea for the Norfolk Jar Kitchen and what were you doing before?
I first had the idea in 2021 when I was working as a finance officer for a local children’s nursery and charity. The Norfolk Jar Kitchen soon became my full-time employment when I had to make the decision to leave my workplace and focus on the business as it was growing so rapidly.
What’s the thinking behind it all?
We originally started the business based on baking kits to get the family back into the kitchen, also aiming them at children and adults with allergies such as wheat and milk. We wanted to create an affordable solution to baking kits, gifts and confectionery. We have now revolutionised into the confectionery world and supply a whole range of products to other 100 shops nationwide.
How have you got involved with the county council’s Christmas appeal?
This is our 3rd year running this non-profit project, having worked very closely with Children’s Services and Norfolk County Council in my previous role, I have seen first-hand how important it is to help campaigns such as these especially at Christmas.
How can people get hold of your products, generally? Is there still just about time for people to order for Christmas?!
Yes of course! On our website you can order any of our products including the £5 NCC gift hamper.
What are your hopes and dreams for your business?
To open a second shop in Norfolk providing affordable gifts and confectionery.
People across Norfolk are being invited to give 16–17-year-olds in supported living a gift this Christmas as part of Norfolk County Council’s Christmas Appeal. Organised by the Children’s Services Department, the campaign aims to give every child in supported living in Norfolk a gift, ensuring that young people have at least one present to open this Christmas. More than 100 young people in Norfolk live in supported accommodation and can often spend Christmas alone, without their families. Supported living is a housing model that provides care and support to help people live independently. The Christmas Collection campaign has been running for several years and gives the people of Norfolk the chance to show how much they care by donating gifts and voucher to young people living in supported accommodation. People can give via physical gifts that can be dropped off at Norfolk Libraries during opening hours, or digitally by purchasing hampers from Norfolk Jar Kitchen or shopping vouchers from stores such as Boots, Primark, Sports Direct and Tesco. Physical gifts need to be stocking filling type items such as toiletries, gift sets, socks, blankets, small games, hats, gloves, and sweet treats. The collection asks residents to not donate candles. Norfolk Jar Company have a created a bespoke £5 hamper containing hot chocolate, sweet bottles/jars, chocolates, lollies and lots more goodies, providing treats for young people over the Christmas season. These can be found at norfolkjarkitchen.co.uk and are called ‘NCC Gift Appeal Hamper‘. The Norfolk Sweet Kitchen gift shop can be found in Snettisham. The deadline for donations is Saturday 14 December. This gives the collection time to sort and distribute gifts and vouchers before Christmas. More information on the NCC campaign and how to make a donation can be found at norfolk.gov.uk/christmasappeal.
Featured images – supplied
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