Clifton NG11 Food Bank
Media Gallery
(Images will open in a fullscreen image gallery)
What did I do?
I volunteered for the first time in my life at the Clifton NG11 Food Bank. The food bank were advertising for volunteers to help with data entry, labelling and weighing food and highlighted that some lifting of food parcels would be required. I felt that my love of food, computer skills and physical strength from the gym would make me a good match so I volunteered.
When did this take place?
I Have volunteered for 3 hours every Saturday morning since the 20th October 2018.
What have I gained from this activity?
This was something close to my heart and something I felt I could make a difference in doing. Food is something I spend a lot of time preparing, since nutrition is vital for any gym work. As a student, I'm very used to being on a tight budget and so I understand the difficulties of feeding many people on a budget. This was initially only advertised on a Tuesday morning, so I contacted the Student's Union and after some emailing back and forward to arrange, I offered to go along and help out.
This has been an opportunity to go out into the local community and use my skills (and strong back!) to help. It's been an opportunity to use my skills in communicating with others, working as part of a team and using some of the under-calued skills such as the ability to listen to others with empathy and understanding.
The team at the food bank have been great and very supportive. They have been really welcoming and interested in my story and in sharing theirs. They have invited me along to the many other events they run such as quizzes so it's been a great way to socialise a little too.
The Student's Union asked me to do a video interview regarding my volunteering at the food bank. I spent some time with Mackenzie Orrick on the 7th November recording that interview.
