8000 Meals and the Power of Community!
This month, our Community Meals Team hit an incredible milestone: they cooked and delivered their 8000th meal! We think that’s rather amazing and want to share our deepest gratitude for the cooks, drivers, and coordinators, as well as the heartfelt thanks of every recipient.
This epic effort is a powerful reminder that too many cooks definitely don’t spoil the broth in our world.
What It Takes: A Look at Our Dedicated Team
This service is a true network, fuelled by passion and flexibility. We currently have 7 fully trained cooks, with another 1 in training, and we’d love to welcome more!
The Cooks: The Heart of the Kitchen
Our cooks are the creative force, deciding on a main course and dessert each week. They collect ingredients, prepare, cook, and deliver the portioned meals to our base on Friday mornings.
- Cook from Home: This role offers great flexibility. You get to cook in your own kitchen, on your own time.
- The Commitment: Ideally, we ask our cooks to do a shift once every 6 weeks.
- The Requirement: All cooks gain their Level 2 Food Hygiene Certificates through us.
- The Reward: As one cook shared: “I love spending time in the kitchen, cooking up meals that bring people together… I feel my best when I’m giving a little love back to others.”
And another said “We’re fairly new here and this is partly my way of getting involved in the local community, by finding something that’s a good match for my skill set.
The additional advantage for me is that whilst there’s obviously a timetable to stick to I can cook in my own home in my own time, (though with input if needed from a very supportive coordinator) and at the moment, this is a much more realistic volunteering opportunity for me.
Mostly, I think that a proper homecooked meal might brighten the day of someone who could use a little cheer.”
More Than Just a Meal: The Essential Connection
The delivery isn’t just a drop-off; it’s a moment of connection that’s just as valuable as the food itself.
- The Ring-Around: Our coordinator, Sue, phones clients weekly to take orders. For many housebound recipients, these chats are a welcome opportunity for a friendly natter, allowing Sue to check in on their week and get feedback on their favourites.
- The Delivery Drivers: Our DBS-checked drivers meet at Wesley Hall at 9 am to collect the insulated bags. They make sure it’s never just a drop and run, often pausing for a chat on the doorstep, offering a moment of human connection to people who may be living alone.
We help with the costs! Both cooks and drivers can claim expenses for fuel, as we understand how tight finances can be right now.
A Fond Farewell and Best Wishes!
While we celebrate, we’re also saying a bittersweet goodbye to three wonderful members of our team.
- Catherine and Simon: Our brilliant Community Meals Dispatch Drivers are moving out of the area to get married and start their new chapter. They will absolutely miss all the clients and volunteers they’ve served alongside.
- Henrietta: A huge thank you to Henrietta, who is stepping back after over three years of cooking delicious meals and giving her time to the community.
We wish them all the very best—you will be greatly missed! ❤️
Join Our Fantastic Bunch!
If you’ve been inspired by this epic team effort, we have openings in all areas, especially cooking.
- To Volunteer: If you have a passion for cooking or would like to help with deliveries or ring-arounds, please go to ourpca.uk to sign up!
- To Receive a Meal: If you or someone you know could use a proper home-cooked community meal, you can be referred by your surgery (KAMP) or apply to PCA directly on our website by clicking ‘Ask For Help’.
