A sales director from Bellway volunteered for the day at a Milton Keynes charity which provides free hot meals for the community.

Luke Southgate, who works for the housebuilder’s Northern Home Counties division based in the city, helped out as a member of the hosting team at FoodCycle Wolverton last month.

He served up lunchtime meals and chatted to diners at the charity’s regular Friday community meals service held at the Old Bath House along Stratford Road.

Holly Wright, East of England Regional Manager at Food Cycle, said: “Our cooking volunteers transform surplus food into a three-course feast and our hosting volunteers serve it all to our guests with friendly faces and great conversations.

“As well as feeding those most in need, FoodCycle volunteers create a warm and welcoming space for people feeling lonely, who are new to the area or who just want to feel more connected with their local community.

“Our meal at The Old Bath House in Wolverton has a wonderful atmosphere, where our guests and volunteers look forward to seeing each other every week.

As part of Bellway’s sustainability strategy, called Better with Bellway, the company has introduced a new Volunteering Policy, which allows employees to use one working day a year for volunteering with a charity or community group.

Luke said: “It was a fantastic experience to become a member of the hosting team at FoodCycle Milton Keynes Wolverton for a day.

"My visit was the perfect opportunity to find out more about a local charity which does incredibly important work in the local community.

“It was great to be able to take time out from my work schedule to help serve up the tasty meals provided and talk to the guests about their lives and get to know them a little.

“The work of FoodCycle is positive on so many fronts, because it not only helps to feed hungry, lonely people but also provides a safe, welcoming environment for them to come to every week.

 

FoodCycle Milton Keynes Wolverton is part of the national FoodCycle charity network which provides free hot meals for members of local communities across the country.

 

The organisation works with supermarkets, small independent grocery shops and markets to source edible surplus food to produce the meals.