Maureen – Guest

Maureen has been a guest at FoodCycle Milton Keynes Wolverton since January 2023. FoodCycle’s community meals have become part of her weekly schedule and she looks forward to them each week. Through FoodCycle, Maureen has had the opportunity to meet lots of new people, among them is Jen, who has become a close friend of hers.

What brought you to FoodCycle?

I’ve only lived in Wolverton for about two years. I moved here to be near my son. My son’s partner works at The Old Bath House, she’s very involved in the events that go on there and she thought it would be a good opportunity for me to go and meet people, and it has! I’m glad I made the decision to go.

What were your first impressions of FoodCycle?

When I first went along to FoodCycle, I wasn’t quite sure what’s what. I found everybody was really friendly, the volunteers and the people who go. Within a very short time I was quite happy to sit down at a table and chat to people, so it was very welcoming. The room is always beautifully set out.  I know other people, so we sit, and chat and you can have a laugh while enjoying a meal.

How did your and Jen’s friendship start?

Me and Jen met when we were waiting outside before the meal started. Jen was sitting on one of the benches, I arrived and she shifted up a bit to let me sit down and we just got chatting, then we went and sat at the table and had our meal together and that’s how our friendship evolved. Now we meet up outside most weeks before the meal starts, then we go in together and sit at the table and have a chat. She’s a really nice lady, she’s on her own at home like me. So, it’s lovely to just
meet up every week and have a chat.

Why do you like coming to FoodCycle?

We were talking about this today with the ladies around the table and all of us said the same thing, it’s the social side, going and meeting people and chatting. A lot of us are on our own at home, so its really quite nice to meet up, get to know other people and just have a chat, otherwise, you might not speak to anyone for days on end. So it’s something I look forward to.

There’s a family I used to know years ago, when I worked at a school. I haven’t seen them for 25 years or so, the children are now grown up with children of their own, so I met up with them again as they come most weeks as well. Its been quite nice to catch up and hear what’s happened in their life.

What do you think of the food?

The food is always very, very good and I think they do an incredible job considering they never know what they’re going to get. We’ve not been disappointed with a meal yet. Today we had a potato salad and pasta. They serve beautiful cakes and soups. I’ve never been disappointed with anything we’ve had, it’s always been really tasty and enjoyable.

What would you say to anyone thinking about coming along?

Come along, it’s very welcoming. From the moment you step in the door the volunteers welcome you, it always looks really nice and people are very friendly. Even if you don’t know a soul, when you sit down at a table, within a few minutes, people are chatting to each other, introducing themselves etc. It’s a nice social hour and a great way to meet people, with lovely food. There’s never anyone left on their own. I’ve got a couple of friends who started coming along and they weren’t sure at the beginning, but now they’re hooked on it, they’re there every week. I would recommend it to anyone, it’s brilliant.