Would you like to help people in your community, make friends and develop new skills? 

Axminster based charity, Project Food is looking to expand its team of volunteers to allow them to respond to the increase in demand for their services across East Devon.

From cooking to food shopping, there are volunteer roles to suit everyone wanting to be involved.

For the past 15 years, Project Food has been working in East Devon, West Dorset and South Somerset to help people improve their diets and enjoy better physical and mental health.

They help people of all ages – including parents with children on free school meals, people with mental health problems, men caring for sick partners, people living alone, teenagers, widowers, and young carers – to gain the knowledge, skills and confidence they need in order to put healthy meals on the table. 

Recent projects have included working to support people by delivering fresh fruit and vegetables and free homemade ready meals to people most in need, hosting monthly cooking groups, after-school clubs, holiday clubs and alternative school timetable activities, and more recently, supporting people struggling with their mental health. 

Many of the people they have been supporting are at risk of diet-related illnesses, have poor mental health, struggle financially or are feeling lonely and isolated.

Trisha has been volunteering for Project Food since early 2022.

She said: "I have been volunteering with Project Food for about a year, supporting people to eat well and learn new skills which helps to improve our mood Project Food gives me opportunities to use my skills in my retirement.

"The major reason for volunteering is the pleasure I get from seeing individuals grow in confidence both within themselves and their ability to cook nutritious meals on a budget."

Project Food's volunteers are the backbone of the charity, helping hundreds of people who, through no fault of their own, find themselves in need of support. 

The charity likes to work with volunteers from all walks of life, even people who have never volunteered before.

Your commitment can be regular on a weekly or monthly basis or ad-hoc depending on demand – there is something for everyone. 

To find out more about the volunteering opportunities with Project Food across East Devon email [email protected] or call 01297 631782.