Bev – Volunteer
Meet Bev, a FoodCycle volunteer who loves nothing more than sharing meals and chatting with people!
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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Say hello to Meiling & Linda, the two amazing runners representing FoodCycle in the 2026 London Marathon!
🧡 Meiling is a seasoned marathon runner and Milton Keynes volunteer
💚 Linda is taking on her very first 26.2 miles after supporting us through her workplace
Both are passionate about raising funds to fight food waste, food poverty and loneliness, and we’re so excited to have them on Team FoodCycle!
Over the next year, we’ll be cheering them on and sharing updates as they train, fundraise and take on this iconic challenge.
💬 Drop them a good luck message below
📣 Follow for updates
🫛 Feeling inspired? Take on your own challenge for FoodCycle!
#LondonMarathon2026 #TeamFoodCycle #MarathonTraining #CharityChallenge
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
