Ros and Ian – Volunteers
Meet husband and wife team Ros and Ian, volunteers at FoodCycle Newport.
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Meet husband and wife team Ros and Ian, volunteers at FoodCycle Newport.
Retired coach driver Ian, is a star washer-upper, and Ros, a part time medical secretary, is a vital part of the cooking team. We spoke to Ros about volunteering at FoodCycle and what it means to them both.
How long have you been volunteering with FoodCycle?
We started in autumn 2023. Our daughter volunteers at another FoodCycle in Sheffield. I went along to help when she was away. Ian came along too and they said he was more than welcome just to sit as a guest. The following week I volunteered as a host helping serve the food and chat with guests.
We really enjoyed it, so we looked for a location near us and we found the Newport one. We started off hosting, helping serve the food and chat with guests, and then moved into the kitchen to be on the cooking team, sometimes we do a bit of both.
We absolutely love it. We usually go along every other week. It’s something nice that we can do together now Ian’s retired. He used to work a lot of hours so he wouldn’t have been able to make that commitment.
Has volunteering with FoodCycle made a difference in your lives?
Yes absolutely! It makes us feel really good, to know that we’ve helped people, even with something like a bit of conversation.
It’s great to know that you’re helping people to get two or a three course meal.
It brings people together, and that builds community for the guests and the volunteers. As volunteers we all enjoy it that we’re giving back to the community, you can make friends and we’re helping reduce food waste too.
Do you feel you’re making a difference in your community through FoodCycle?
I think we are making a big difference. Some of our guests might not get another hot or nutritious meal that week, if they’re struggling, and it’s a meal that’s good for you, with lots of vegetables and fruit. It’s good to know you’re helping them in that way.
Some people might not have had anybody to speak to all week, and just giving them that bit of time means a lot. We’re providing company just by talking to people. That can make a big difference – just a smile, or a hello, even if they don’t want a lot of conversation, being there with a hive of activity around them, with a lot of people that may be in the same boat, I think it does make a big difference.
It’s nice seeing the changes in people who come regularly, when they first come some people might not talk very much, but then you get to chat and get to know a bit more, and you can see the difference in the smiles on their faces.
It’s lovely to see how people grow and change over time, and to see that they’re a happier in their life because they’re coming in, in and chatting to different people.
What do you enjoy most about volunteering? What keeps you coming back?
I just love it all! I love being in the kitchen. The fact that we’ve made a meal for maybe 30 people, and they’ve all loved it, and it’s all runs to time, feels like a great achievement.
Ian is chief washer upper so he keeps everything moving stacking and emptying the dishwasher. We’re quite regimented at home anyway and we work really smoothly whatever we’re doing – if it’s prepping, or wiping down, or loading the dishwasher.
It’s an accomplishment if we’ve managed to prepare a meal, and get it all out on time for people when they come in, and they enjoy it, there’s not a lot of food waste.
Afterwards people say: ‘Oh, thank. You that was lovely!’ It’s just like if you’ve made their day, with a meal and some conversation.
The team are all lovely. Everybody works really well together, and when we have new volunteers we train them in what to do.
What would you say to someone who’s thinking about volunteering with FoodCycle?
We always need more volunteers. Even if you can volunteer just once a month if helps take the pressure off, so everybody can take turns and come when suits them. We hate it if we have to cancel! It’s really good. From a selfish point of view, it makes you feel good, just seeing our guests and their smiles, and meeting new people and having new experiences. It’s a great team – just do it!
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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