FoodCycle is appealing for volunteers for a new Bootle project – and here’s five reasons to get involved

FoodCycle is launching a new support project in Bootle, and appealing for volunteers to help ‘make food poverty, loneliness and food waste a thing of the past’.

The charity is planning to open the project in April, offering a free meal and a place to meet for those who need it at St Matthew’s Church in Stanley Road.

It’s the third venture the charity will run in Liverpool – it already offers help in Dingle and Old Swan – but now it’s looking for people willing to give up their time and effort to help get it off the ground in the north of the city too.

Ian Winstanley, FoodCycle’s North West regional manager, says:

“We are looking to recruit new volunteers and project leaders.

“The roles are flexible and without a minimum time commitment. We need people to help with food collection, surplus food co-ordinators, cooking, hosting and running projects.”

FoodCycle operates across the country, serving up free three-course meals in the community using food that would otherwise have gone to waste.

Guests range from low-income families to people affected by homelessness, and those who simply can’t afford to buy food. And all they have to do is sit down and take a seat – no questions asked.

But such service relies on volunteers not just to collect the food and create the meals but to welcome and talk to those who go. And if you’re thinking you’d like to get involved, here’s five reasons why FoodCycle says you should:

1. You gain new skills

You gain as much as you give, like new skills and knowledge to apply anywhere from your career to life in general. If you volunteer for FoodCycle, you stand a chance of acquiring or improving skills like communicating with other people, organising, and delegating. You could learn how to cook or, if you already know the basics, you can challenge yourself in the kitchen (volunteers only get to decide what meals to prepare on the day when they finally have ingredients from supermarkets on hand).

2. You meet new people

You can build genuine relationships with your fellow volunteers and befriend guests. What distinguishes FoodCycle as a charity is its commitment not only to alleviating hunger, but also addressing loneliness. We serve our guests and treat them well, creating a warm and welcoming environment. Volunteers are encouraged to sit with guests and strike up conversations, and since our guests come from all walks of life, you’re sure to meet a wide range of people with varying perspectives and experiences.

3. You become involved in your community

It really is good for the soul to be helpful to the community. Volunteering at your local charity keeps you in touch with reality and what’s going on where you live.

4. You make a difference

There’s an endless number of causes you can get behind. FoodCycle is not only about combatting food poverty, it’s also about reducing food waste in the UK and importantly, bringing people together to reduce loneliness. Volunteering at FoodCycle makes a real, tangible, and significant impact. None of your time and effort are wasted, and you help make other people’s lives better.

5. Finally, you get to have fun!

It’s not all work. The atmosphere is often relaxed at FoodCycle cooks, stories are shared, and friendships are formed. Many of the volunteers often come back, which means you really get to establish a relationship with them. 

Anne Fleissig, a retired researcher who has been volunteering at FoodCycle since 2016, says:

“I must have got new confidence since I started volunteering because in my past life I would shy away from leading as I’m indecisive, but I’ve learned I can lead – with FoodCycle you have to think on your feet.”

And she adds: “It also just helps me so much to be with people that are lonely, and you feel like you are contributing something.”

As well as bringing together people from all walks of life, FoodCycle aims to improve mental wellbeing and strengthen community spirit; and it hopes to promote sustainability and change attitudes to food and society’s impact on the environment.

Ian adds: “We are thrilled to be launching another new project in Liverpool and reaching more people in the city. 

“We look forward to forming partnerships with local businesses, welcoming local residents in to the FoodCycle volunteer family and, most importantly providing a nutritious meal and friendly chat to anyone in the community who needs it, no questions asked.

“But we need help.”

FoodCycle Liverpool Bootle will launch on April 12 and take place every Tuesday from 7pm at St Matthew’s 410 Stanley Road, Liverpool, L20 5AE.

FoodCycle Liverpool Old Swan takes place every Thursday from 7pm at Liverpool Stoneycroft The Salvation Army, Prescot Road, Old Swan, L13 3BT, and FoodCycle Liverpool Dingle takes place every Wednesday from 7pm at St Cleopas Church, 400 Mill Street, Toxteth, L8 4RF.

To sign up as a volunteer or for more information on FoodCycle, click here.

Article by Janet Tansley