Bev – Volunteer
Meet Bev, a FoodCycle volunteer who loves nothing more than sharing meals and chatting with people!
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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Huge congratulations to Carly and her brother Liam, who took on a 2km open water swim at Rutland Water to raise funds for FoodCycle and smashed it! (We think there was a little bit of sibling rivalry at play)
We’re incredibly proud of Carly, who lives and breathes FoodCycle in every way. She’s been part of our team for 5 years and knows just how powerful our meals can be. For some, it’s the only cooked meal they’ll have that week, and the only chance to connect with others.
This swim, taken in memory of their dad, has raised over £1,200 to help tackle food waste, food poverty and loneliness.
👏 Well done Carly and Liam
👏 Thank you to everyone who has donated so far
💚 Every penny makes a difference
If you`re planning a fundraising event for FoodCycle, we`d love to hear about it!
#foodcycle #rutlandwater #Swimming #communitymeal #fightfoodwaste #sustainable #fundraising #justgiving
Leftover courgettes languishing in the fridge?
Try this no-waste courgette recipe for your next BBQ.
Get the full recipe in the bio.
#Courgette #CourgetteDip #DipRecipe
Serving food, saving waste, and spreading kindness 🫛❤️
This summer, we need more amazing people like Sue to help us cook, serve and connect with communities across the country.
Whether you`re a kitchen whizz or just keen to lend a hand, every session makes a difference.
Join us for a summer full of purpose, people and peas.
Sign up to volunteer today.
#summervolunteers #volunteering #fightfoodwaste
Make courgettes the star of the show 🌟
What would you dip in this?
Maybe some 🥕
or some sticks of 🥒
Tell us below!
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Ingredients
500g Greek yoghurt
1 courgette(s) (boiled and cooled)
1 garlic clove(s) (crushed)
1 bunch(es) of fresh dill (chopped)
0.5 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp red wine vinegar
1 handful(s) of olives
1 tsp olive oil
Method
Mix the yoghurt, courgette (finely chopped), garlic, dill, oregano and red wine vinegar together in a bowl.
Make a dip with the back of the spoon in the middle of the bowl and fill with olive oil.
Garnish with olives if you’ve got them to hand.
Serve with flatbreads/pitta bread.
#Tzatziki #courgette #courgetterecipe #partydip #diprecipe #homemadedip
Meet Nathan, a cooking volunteer at FoodCycle Hucknall and Broxtowe-Aspley in Nottinghamshire.
At 44, Nathan was looking to shake off the routine of work and do something more fulfilling with his time. He joined FoodCycle to give back, but found much more than he expected – growing in confidence, building new skills and rediscovering his passion for cooking.
Volunteering has even inspired a new career, as Nathan recently became a volunteer co-ordinator for his local council.
We love hearing how FoodCycle makes a difference not just for guests, but for our incredible volunteers too.
Join us and make a real difference in your community.
#Nottingham #community #communitymeal #freemeal #volunteering #Hucknall #BroxtoweAspley
Halfway there, Harry! 🏃♂️🔥
Huge shoutout to Harry Barham who recently completed his 5th half marathon in his epic challenge to run 10 half marathons in support of FoodCycle and FareShare North East – that’s 131 miles in total!
His most recent run was a scorcher, but Harry powered through with determination and a whole lot of heart.
He’s running to help tackle food waste, food poverty and support stronger communities and he’s already halfway to the finish line.
Let’s cheer him on and help him hit that fundraising goal 💚
Donate here at giveasyoulive.com and search "harry runs 25"
#HarryRuns25 #fundraising #halfmarathon #foodcycle #communitymeals
FoodCycle has given me a great sense of purpose.” 💚
Meet Rosie, a 73-year-old volunteer from Worcester who joined FoodCycle to give back in her retirement, and found so much more.
From building confidence in the kitchen to making new friends, Rosie says volunteering has become a meaningful and joyful part of her week.
“I really enjoy every session. I can’t always go weekly, but FoodCycle is so flexible – you just sign up when you can. I tell everyone I know about it!”
Thank you, Rosie, for being such a valued part of the FoodCycle family.
Head to the link in the bio to join us.
#summervolunteers #foodcycle #communitymeal #fightfoodwaste #volunteering #worcester
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
Registered charity No. 1134423 | Company limited by guarantee no. 7101349
Registered charity No. 1134423
Company limited by guarantee no. 7101349
