When we launched Bevy Meals on Wheels at the end of March we put out an initial call for volunteers – we needed a team of people to help our chef in the kitchen and to deliver the food to the people we were cooking for.
We were overwhelmed by the wonderful response and throughout the strictest period of the lockdown and then beyond, our volunteers have ensured that tasty, nutritious dinners made it safely to those who needed them.
We asked our volunteers what they loved most about volunteering at Bevy Meals on Wheels and we were really touched by the things people told us. Here’s what they said:
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“I just did my first delivery with the Bevy, and felt like I’d fallen straight into such a loving community, and getting to share jokes and smiles with people I live so close to but had never met or chatted to before seems like a precious thing. I’m so glad I got the opportunity to be part of this, and I’m already looking forward to my next shift!”
Bibi
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“Seeing the grateful friendly faces waiting at the door for their lunch.
The smell of lovely lunches in my car makes me hungry.
Well organised.
Free mask and gloves.”
Michelle
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“I’ve loved being part of the Bevy Meals on Wheels. It’s been amazing to feel useful in a small way during lockdown, and also have a reason to get out on my bike delivering meals. I’ve really enjoyed having the same round and having regular contact with the same people and seeing our relationships develop in different ways. I found it so helpful having the consistency of the deliveries as a bit of structure to my week, especially at the beginning of lockdown when everything was changing so quickly, and when my job changed from being out in schools every day to being desk based.
It’s wonderful to be involved with such a great place as the Bevy, a pub that puts the community at the end of the work. I hope that I can stay involved beyond meals on wheels in some way.”
Lucy
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“The thing I have loved most about delivering food through BMW is making a difference to people’s lives. When on a delivery one day I knocked on the door of a woman who was in a lot of pain with her legs, they were in a terrible state. I spoke with her about if she had seen her doctor and she said she couldn’t get there. With her permission, I rang her doctors surgery and discussed the situation with them. Since then they have been visiting her regularly to dress the wounds and when I saw her about 3 weeks later she looked like a different person and was clearly receiving the treatment she desperately needed. It does make you wonder though, how many other people behind closed doors are suffering in silence.”
Laurie
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“I built up good relationships with some of my ‘customers’ and really look forward to having a brief chat with them on their doorstep.
It feels great to do something useful in these difficult times, and the deliveries are always well received. So for me it seems that The Bevy food deliveries have benefits for all those involved.
PS. The food itself always looks and smells wonderful and the team at The Bevy are a fantastic group of people. It is just such a shame that in a wealthy country like ours, such efforts are essential.”
Keith
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“Being a part of The Bevy Meals on Wheels team has meant the world to me – it’s provided a much needed dose of purpose and hope in these strange times. Seeing a team rally like this to serve the community has been inspiring. The collective drive to meet the challenge with love and hard work has never waned.
Being part of the Bevy Meals on Wheels team has been the treasured highlight of this very strange and challenging year.
When I volunteered to help out with Bevy Meals on Wheels I didn’t realise I was actually signing up for an apprenticeship with Chef Marco! I’ve learnt so much, not just about catering with surplus food, but also about his beloved Italian food… his famous arancini are now a firm family favourite. And who knew there we so many things to make with courgettes?!”
Louise
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Now that people are starting to get back to work and other pre-lockdown obligations we have openings for a few more volunteers.
Please see the volunteer listings here and if you’re able to help please drop us a line at contact@thebevy.co.uk or call us on 01273 281009 and ask for Helen.