FoodCycle launches appeal for volunteers across Liverpool

FoodCycle needs more helpers to keep its free community meals running smoothly this summer, including in Bootle, Dingle and Old Swan.

Each week FoodCycle volunteers take part in a ‘Ready Steady Cook’ style-challenge to transform surplus food that would otherwise go to waste, into tasty three course meals served free to anyone who wants them.

The charity is encouraging residents to make 2026 a ‘Summer of Peas & Love’, by signing up to volunteer even just once or twice a month.

Nationally, FoodCycle needs to fill 8,500+ volunteer slots in July and August.

Keen cooks, servers, and washer-uppers are needed to help alleviate a seasonal shortage in volunteer numbers, as regular volunteers take holidays, students return home, and parents and grandparents need to spend time with children.

FoodCycle Bootle is served at 7pm on Tuesdays at St Matthew’s church on Stanley Road, FoodCycle Dingle, served at 7pm on Wednesdays at St Cleopas Church on Mill Street, and FoodCycle Tuebrook and Old Swan, served at 7pm on Thursdays, at The Old Library on Green Lane.

They are among nine FoodCycle community meals across the North West region, where last year FoodCycle volunteers served 14,998 community meals, and saved 14.5 tonnes of surplus food from going to waste.

Anyone over 18 can register to volunteer with FoodCycle – with roles including cooking, hosting, and delivering surplus food.No experience is needed and training is provided.

It comes as one in four UK adults report feeling lonely, while 7.5 million people are living in households experiencing food poverty. Anyone can turn up to eat FoodCycle meals for free, no questions asked.

Blessing Opawole, volunteer at FoodCycle Liverpool Old Swan explained some of the reasons guest come along to share meals.

She said:

“When I started volunteering, I didn’t expect there to be such a wide range of people who come to the FoodCycle meals. We get people from all walks of life and it’s great because people come here for different reasons. So, we have a core group who often come, regulars who have made friends here. So for some people, it’s a social thing. For some people it’s providing a hot meal, but whatever the reason, everyone’s welcome, and it’s really nice to see familiar faces and newcomers as well.”

A FoodCycle survey of more than 1,760 guests carried nationally out last autumn found 67% can’t afford to buy the food they need, and 67% eat most meals alone.

The findings show how FoodCycle’s community meals model works to support people’s wellbeing, with 79% of guests feeling happier after attending; 73% feel less lonely and 75% eat more fruit and vegetables as a result.

Ian Winstanley, FoodCycle’s Regional Manager for the North West said:

“We have a few different roles people can get involved with at FoodCycle community meals – from cooking, to serving food and chatting with guests, delivering surplus food to our projects, or doing the washing up. We’d love for anyone who is interested to sign up via our website.”

Nationally FoodCycle volunteers served more than 177,000 community meals last year, and saved 349 tonnes of surplus food from going to waste.

FoodCycle CEO Mark Game said:

“Too many people are struggling to afford the food they need, and too many are experiencing loneliness. That’s why FoodCycle’s community meals are more important than ever. Every week our volunteers help create welcoming spaces where people can enjoy nourishing food and company, while ensuring good food doesn’t go to waste. We know these meals make a real difference to the guests who join us – but we need more help, as demand remains high all year round. This summer we need to fill more than 8,500 volunteer slots around England and Wales to keep our projects running. If you can spare a few hours we’d love you to join us and help make a difference in your local community.”

• FoodCycle Liverpool Tuebrook and Old Swan – served Thursdays at 7pm, at The Old Library, Green Lane Liverpool L13 7EB.
• FoodCycle Liverpool Dingle – served Wednesdays at 7pm, St Cleopas church, 400 Mill Street, Liverpool, L8 4RF.
• FoodCycle Bootle – served on Tuesdays at 7pm, at St Matthew’s church, 410 Stanley Road, Liverpool, L20 5AE.

Sign up to volunteer here.

You can also donate to support FoodCycle here.

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