Bev – Volunteer
Meet Bev, a FoodCycle volunteer who loves nothing more than sharing meals and chatting with people!
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Meet Bev, a FoodCycle volunteer who loves nothing more than sharing meals and chatting with people in her local community!
Bev, first got involved in 2023 as she wanted to help alleviate the loneliness she witnessed among people following the pandemic.
How did you get involved in volunteering with FoodCycle?
I started as soon as the Quinton project opened, just over 2 years ago (in 2023). I’m currently disabled, I’ve had 22 surgeries in my life and I‘ve got a fused ankle. I use a stick to get around and I’m waiting for a knee replacement, so being in pain is just a part of my everyday life. Volunteering has always been important to me as a way of helping other people. Helping people makes me feel happy!
I’ve volunteered for my whole life doing different things, and I was volunteering at the local community hub, when FoodCycle came along. It was another avenue to help people through.
During Covid I volunteered delivering food parcels to people. The amount of people that I encountered along the way, for who I was probably the only person they saw in that whole week, was particularly sad. Sometimes you were the only point of contact for some elderly people whose family lived far away and couldn’t travel.
So for me something like FoodCycle, encouraging people out of their homes and back into a community with other people that they can share experiences with, was a fabulous idea.
What were your first impressions of volunteering with FoodCycle?
Awesome! It was great to meet like-minded volunteers who all have the same vision. We have an absolutely fabulous team of volunteers at Quinton FoodCycle. It’s great.
Some people who come to eat, when they first come, they might sit on their own and don’t speak a word to each other, now they look forwards to seeing each other. It’s absolutely fabulous.
Do you feel you’re making a difference in the community through FoodCycle?
Absolutely. Covid was a pandemic, then we got over COVID and loneliness was a pandemic. Trying to encourage people out of that loneliness, it takes a little bit of time for some people, but it is working.
I always make it clear to people it’s not a soup kitchen. It’s a meal in the community, for the community and everybody’s welcome. It’s amazing. For some people this will be their only hot meal in the week.
Most weeks we have some surplus food left at the end and people can take away some bread, vegetables and stuff. That also helps because then they’ve got food for more days, and it just takes away that stress and struggle.
I’m happy that people come to FoodCycle, they have a meal, they’re happy, they’re making friends, they’re out of their house, living like a normal human being.
What do you enjoy most about volunteering with FoodCycle?
The people! Hearing the stories of some of the people who come to eat with us is amazing, especially the older generations, it’s like talking to somebody else’s grandma or granddad and hearing stories from way back when.
The food and the cooking are fabulous, but it’s the people who keep me coming back. I know they need this service, and without it some of these people have nowhere to go, and I look forward to seeing them. The fact that people have an outlet and somewhere to go because of FoodCycle is amazing.
What would you say to someone who’s thinking about volunteering with FoodCycle?
I would say come and give it a go. It’s not like going into a restaurant and working as a waiter or a chef. It’s going into a community of people who you can have conversations with and share a meal. It’s just about good, all round community spirit, and I think everybody should try it at least once! Even if you come once a month it’s something good you can do.
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Friendships that go beyond the kitchen 💚
We absolutely loved seeing this update from our brilliant Clacton volunteers, who spent a sunny evening in Frinton enjoying a walking quiz, fish and chips, and plenty of laughs!
Sixteen of the team came together for a bit of friendly competition and fun, followed by a delicious beach hut supper and lots of chat about FoodCycle with curious passers-by.
Moments like these show just how strong the sense of community is among our volunteers. It’s more than just cooking and serving meals, it’s about connection, friendship and supporting one another.
Thank you to everyone who made the evening so special. We’re lucky to have such a wonderful Clacton crew!
#Foodcycle #Clacton #FoodWaste #Frinton #Community #MakingFriends
Not all heroes wear capes, some rock an apron and hairnet and whip up a mean pasta bake...
Join our volunteer team and help cook, serve or simply lend a hand. Whether it’s chopping veggies, plating up meals or washing up, it all makes a difference.
Join us for a Summer of Peas & Love. 🫛❤️
Do good, feel good, volunteer with us this summer.
Head to the link in the bio to register and have the best summer ever.
#SummerGoals #SummerVolunteers #Community #CommunityKitchen #FreeMeal #FoodCycle
🎾 A huge shoutout to our friends at Danone for treating some of our amazing volunteers (and a few staff too!) to an unforgettable day at Wimbledon 💚
On 5th July, a group of lucky volunteers from all over the country were picked in a random draw and got to enjoy top tennis action plus a tasty lunch and afternoon tea.
We’re so grateful to Danone for recognising the time, care and energy our volunteers give every week. You are the heart of FoodCycle and we love being able to say thank you in fun and meaningful ways like this.
Here’s to more memories, more meals and more community 💫
#FoodCycle #ThankYouDanone #Wimbledon
PROJECT HIGHLIGHT
Well done to the fantastic team at FoodCycle Weoley Castle for another warm and welcoming community meal 💚
This week, they served 22 guests, welcomed a brand new hosting volunteer, and dished up a delicious three-course menu featuring:
🥣 Roasted cauliflower and fennel soup
🍅 Ratatouille with mash and side salad
🍊 Orange drizzle cake
We also want to give a huge shout-out to Jacky, who hit an incredible milestone of 400 volunteer hours! Thank you for your dedication and the difference you continue to make every week 🎉
If you’re in the Weoley Castle area, head to St Gabriel’s at 4pm on Tuesdays for a free meal, good chat and a warm welcome.
Thinking about volunteering? Sign up here via the link in the bio.
#Volunteering #FoodCycle #WeoleyCastle #FreeMeal #WestMidlands #ThreeCourseMeal
A huge thank you to Jane and her brilliant "Ladies that Picnic" for coming together to support FoodCycle during The Big Lunch 💚
Jane hosted a wonderful afternoon filled with community spirit, delicious vegetarian dishes, a quiz, a raffle and even original artwork for sale, all to raise vital funds for our work.
We’re so grateful to Jane and everyone who came along. Your generosity and creativity help us bring people together over food, one meal at a time.
#TheBigLunch #FoodCycle #CommunitySupport #Wardley #Swinton
Run for change in 2026
We’ve got two charity places for the iconic London Marathon and they could be yours 👟
Take on one of the world’s most famous races while helping FoodCycle fight food poverty, tackle loneliness and stop good food from going to waste 💚
Think you’ve got what it takes? Tell us why you’d love to run for us by Sunday 6 July.
📝 Apply now via the link in the bio
📌 £100 reg fee
🎯 £2,500 fundraising target
Let’s do something amazing together.
#FoodCycle #LondonMarathon #CharityPlace #RunForCharity
50 guests, a buzzing dining room and a whole lot of love in Clacton this week!
The sun was shining, the queue was full of chatter, and the energy inside was just as warm 💚
A huge shout out to newly graduated Project Leader Yvonne, who served up her first official meal made entirely from fresh surplus ingredients and nailed it! 👏
Every guest left with a grocery bag to take home, and Collection PL Chris worked his usual magic, making sure nothing went to waste. Even his chickens were happy with the scraps 🐓
Great food, great people, great Monday. Clacton, you rock!
Looking for a feel-good gift that actually makes a difference?
Say hello to the FoodCycle merch range 💚
💚 Tote bags that carry kindness
💚 Tees and aprons that spread good vibes
💚 The perfect pressie for your foodie friend, your hosting hero or just yourself (you deserve it)
Every purchase supports our mission to feed communities, fight food waste and tackle loneliness.
Tap the link in bio to shop and gift with purpose.
#FoodCycle #ToteBag #Apron #GiftIddeas #CharityGift
No fresh food? No problem!
To the store cupboard 😁
You need to watch this and see the incredible meal our volunteers produced with store cupboard ingredients and some epic teamwork :-)
Thanks to the Mitcham team for sharing.
☀️ Sandwiches.
👥 Great company.
🌍 A meaningful cause.
It`s National Picnic Week, and what a brilliant moment to make your Big Lunch a picnic.
Lunch outdoors can bring your friends, family, or work team together, boost morale, and raise vital funds to help FoodCycle tackle food waste, hunger, and loneliness.
Keep it simple. Make it count.
Start planning via the link in the bio.
#NationalPicnicWeek
Registered charity No. 1134423 | Company limited by guarantee no. 7101349
Registered charity No. 1134423
Company limited by guarantee no. 7101349
