Jean Paul – Volunteer

JP joined FoodCycle in 2019 after he was made redundant in his role as a chartered architectural technologist after 24 years with the same company. When he found a new role in September 2019, the company agreed to let him take two days off a month to continue to volunteer with FoodCycle, as it had become an integral part of his life.

Having done every volunteer role going, from cooking in the kitchens to surplus food collection, JP has been able to put his passion for cooking and food waste to good use.

He says, “The thing that strikes me the most every time I’m part of a FoodCycle meal is the social aspect and I love that anyone can come.  We support such a mixture of people and we bring people together who wouldn’t usually strike up a conversation. We’re not just slapping a plate of food in front of someone, we create a nice cosy café feel and everyone gets a cup of tea when they arrive and three courses of nutritious vegetarian food made from surplus food donated by local businesses. I get so much out of it, for my own mental health and being able to give time to others plus working as a team with the other volunteers.”