Volunteers working for a food distribution charity have revealed the key reasons they are giving up their time to support communities.

Food Cycle has carried out research into its volunteers to find out why they are giving up their time for charity.

Almost half (45%) said it was because the charity’s specific cause of tackling food poverty was the main reason for volunteers.

Meanwhile one in four (25%) said that supporting the mental health and wellbeing of others was the number one reason for volunteering.

In addition, 15% said that connecting communities was the important part of their work, while the same proportion said that promoting sustainability was another key factor.



Robyn, a FoodCycle volunteer in Clacton, said: “ volunteer says: “After a session with FoodCycle Clacton, I feel like I’ve done some good for the local community, not to mention it is great for myown health and wellbeing – I always feel like I have done a four-hour intensive work out.”

Another volunteer, Ed from Bristol, added: “The charity’s work and aims align with mypersonal values and lifestyle choices. I am helping to alleviate the social and financialpositions of less privileged individuals, fight a broken food system, encourage social connection and promote healthy, nutritious meals using donated surplus fruit and veg.”

In August it emerged that the nature of volunteering has shifted markedly amid the Covid-19 pandemic, with formal arrangements dropping to an all-time low, while informal support for communities rising to an all-time high. The figures were revealed in the government’s annual Community Life Survey.

Share Story: