Angela – Volunteer
Cooking volunteer Angela is a sustainability champion at her local FoodCycle meal in Falcon Lodge.
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Diane has been coming to FoodCycle Liverpool Old Swan since last summer, having discovered our weekly community meals through a friend.
After moving a few years ago into an area she didn’t know many people, her health declined meaning she couldn’t get out for months at a time.
One day, she told her friend how isolated she was feeling and her friend suggested them finding something to do together what would mean meeting new people. As they both struggled financially, they liked the sound of a free weekly community meal at the local Salvation Army and have been coming ever since.
What brought you to FoodCycle?
“I moved house to an adapted bungalow two years ago, to an area where I didn’t know many people. My health has been very poor and I had months at a time where I wasn’t getting out. I have a really good friend and I’d spoken to her about feeling very isolated and thought we could do something together to meet new people. We have both struggled financially and it is difficult for me to have regular hot meals, due to my health conditions.”
What were your first impressions of a FoodCycle meal?
“We went to FoodCycle one week when I was able to get into the car and I was overcome by how friendly the volunteers were. I had been very nervous before we arrived, but since then, I have slowly got to know other guests from all different backgrounds. I had also been concerned that I was a ‘difficult customer’ due to me being vegetarian and was so relieved to find that only vegetarian food is served. I can’t attend every week, due to my poor mobility and health conditions, but I truly look forward to being able to attend either of the two Projects in Liverpool as often as I can. Being able to sit in a warm and very friendly environment, whilst having hot drinks and amazing food is wonderful.”
What are your favourite FoodCycle meals?
“It’s hard to imagine that this food would once have ended up in landfill. My favourite starter is definitely the tasty fresh vegetable or vegetable and lentil soup. I’ve had delicious casseroles with fresh, delicious mashed potato with a side of fresh veg or a pasta dish and the pudding is most often fresh fruit based. ”
How is the current cost of living crisis affecting you and does FoodCycle help?
“I have had an ongoing dispute with my energy provider charging me for two meters and adding a previous tenants debt to my account. This meant I was scared to even use minimal amount of heat and light before the cost-of-living crisis. Now, with the bills escalating for energy and food, it’s severely impacted my physical and mental health. When I come to FoodCycle, it’s always service with a smile. The charity and the volunteers make such a difference to anyone struggling, whether through food or energy poverty, or just loneliness. Any leftovers are always boxed up for anyone wishing to take some home. Last Christmas, we were treated to an amazing Christmas lunch and received a card and gift. It’s truly overwhelming.”
What would you say to someone visiting a FoodCycle meal for the first time?
“For anyone wishing to attend for the first time, I would say please don’t worry, just turn up. Your life will be made all the better for it!”
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We`re thrilled to have been chosen as one of 12 charities to benefit from grant funding in 2025 from The Health Lottery.
This support will help us continue to improve the health and well-being of communities across the country by providing free, nutritious meals and welcoming spaces for connection and conversation.
A huge thank you to The Health Lottery for recognising the impact of our work and helping us reach even more people who need support.
We’re excited about what this funding will make possible, from expanding our reach to deepening the support we offer to our guests.
Read about all 12 charities at https://www.thehealthlotteryfoundation.org.uk/funding-information/200k-of-support-to-12-charities-to-improve-health-wellbeing/
#TheHealthLottery #FoodCycle #Charities #CharityGiving #CharitableFoundation #CommunityMeal #FreeMeals
"FoodCycle is a boost to my mental health.”
Every week, FoodCycle guests find more than food at our meals. They find company, kindness and a sense of belonging.
💬 “I go days without talking to anyone. Coming here lifts me.”
💬 “It’s changed my outlook and given me a reason to leave the house.”
💬 “I feel nourished and mentally refreshed.”
Community isn’t just important – it’s essential.
This Mental Health Awareness Week, let’s keep showing up for each other.
#MHAW #FoodCycle #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek #ThisIsMyCommunity
This week is Mental Health Awareness Week, and the theme is community 💚
At FoodCycle, we believe that sitting down to share a meal with others can do wonders for our wellbeing.
Here’s what our guests told us:
🧑🤝🧑 83% feel happier after attending
👋 78% feel less lonely
🌍 91% have met people from different backgrounds
🏘️ 83% feel more part of their community
A warm meal, a friendly face, and a regular routine might sound simple, but they really do make a difference.
#MHAW #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek #FoodCycle #ThisIsMyCommunity @MHFAEngland
We’re thrilled to announce our new charity partnership with @wagamama_uk
With a shared belief in the power of nourishing food and human connection, wagamama will be supporting FoodCycle through generous meal donations, chef collaborations at our community meals, skill-sharing sessions for volunteers, and so much more.
From cooking side by side with our teams to inviting our guests into their restaurants, this partnership is all about community, compassion and great food.
We can’t wait to see what we’ll achieve together.
Read more on the partnership via the link in the bio
#wagamama #foodcycle #partnership #communitymeal
This June, we’re teaming up with our friends at Eden Communities to celebrate food, friendship and FUN – and we want you in on it!
Whether it’s a garden picnic, a street party, or a tea and cake kind of vibe, The Big Lunch is your chance to bring people together and raise funds for FoodCycle while you’re at it 💚
👯♀️ Host with your housemates
🌞 Picnic in the park with pals
🏡 Invite the neighbours round
🍰 Or bring the party to your workplace
However you do it, you`re helping us fight food waste, tackle loneliness and serve up more delicious community meals across the UK.
📦 Grab your free Big Lunch Pack and get planning – link in bio!
@edencommunities
#TheBigLunch #foodcycle #community #communitymeal
🎉 A huge well done to FoodCycle Hartlepool for their very first themed night! 🎉
The evening was a fantastic success, thanks to the amazing effort of the Hartlepool volunteers who went above and beyond to make it extra special. Decorations, table snacks, and thoughtful touches helped create a brilliant atmosphere for their guests. 💛
A big thank you to their regular volunteer from Quorn for the fantastic donation of Quorn burgers, which were a real hit. 🍔
And a huge shout out to Morrisons Hartlepool for their incredible support. Their donations of cookies and dips made the meal even more memorable and will continue to help with future meals too. 🍪✨
It is wonderful to see the Hartlepool team showing the power of community spirit through food and friendship.
Don`t forget to tag us in all your posts, we love to see what our projects are creating for their communities.
#hartlepool #foodcycle #morrisons #quorn
Help us make a difference!
We would love it if you could nominate FoodCycle for a Movement for Good Health and Wellbeing Award. It only takes a minute and could help us support even more communities with free, nutritious meals.
Nominations close on 4th May – nominate us here: https://health.movementforgood.com/index.php?cn=1134423&ct=health#nominateACharity
Thank you for your support! 💚
@benefactgroup #Healthandwellbeing #foodcycle #community #socialgood #movementforgood
We were absolutely delighted to be selected as one of 20 charities supported by Overbury’s 2025 Charity Quiz.
Held at Westminster Park Plaza in February, the event brought together 100 teams from across the construction industry, raising an incredible £500,000 for charity through an evening of quiz rounds, connection and generosity.
A huge thank you to Overbury and all the event sponsors for their fantastic support.
And a special shout out to Rebecca Bradshaw, Overbury staff member and dedicated FoodCycle volunteer, for nominating us – we’re so grateful.
@overburyplc
Less than 24 hours to double your impact.
There’s still time to donate through the Big Give Green Match Fund and have your gift matched pound for pound.
We have just over £800 left to raise to unlock all of our match funding. Every donation will be matched while funds are available – meaning double the meals and double the impact for the people we support.
Many of our guests are struggling with the cost of living, with 75% finding it difficult to afford food or pay for their housing. Your support can make a real difference.
💚 76% of our guests report eating more fruit and vegetables
💚 83% feel happier after attending a FoodCycle meal
💚 78% feel less lonely
By donating today, you`re helping us do more than just provide food. You are helping us build community, improve wellbeing, and save good food from going to waste.
Donate now and help us reach our target.
Head to the link in the bio!
@biggiveorg #greenprojects #greenmatchfund #foodcycle #fightfoodwaste
🌍💚 It’s a BIG week… The Big Give Green Match Fund is here! 💚🌍
From today until 29th April, every donation to FoodCycle through The Big Give will be DOUBLED, helping us grow our environmental impact through community dining.
By turning surplus food into hot, healthy meals, we’re:
♻️ Tackling food waste
🌱 Cutting carbon emissions
🍽️ Feeding communities in need
In 2024, we saved 320 tonnes of food from waste, stopping 200,000kg of CO2 from entering the atmosphere. Imagine what we can do with YOUR help, doubled.
Donate today and be part of something greener, kinder and more connected.
Link in bio to give.
#donate #causes #giveback #socialgood #environment #biggive #thebiggive #foodcycle
Registered charity No. 1134423 | Company limited by guarantee no. 7101349
Registered charity No. 1134423
Company limited by guarantee no. 7101349
