Meal Makers is a neighbourhood food-sharing project that connects people who enjoy cooking with an older person who lives in their local community and would really appreciate a home cooked meal and some friendly company*
As a Volunteer Cook Befriender, you will prepare an extra portion of food in your own home and deliver it to your 'Diner' at a time that suits you both. This opportunity is extremely flexible and meal sharing can occur as little or often as you like – weekly, fortnightly or just occasionally. Designed to be a fun volunteering opportunity based on an everyday activity, Meal Makers aims to tackle malnutrition and loneliness in older adults (55+), who struggle with the ability or motivation to prepare a home-cooked meal for themselves.
No training or formal cookery experience is required - just the ability to cook basic, nutritious meals. You will complete a PVG check/update and basic food safety quiz before being paired with one of our Diners.
We will also do our best to match you with a like-minded Diner with similar dietary interests.
Our aim is to support older people to live independently at home. Our preventative services address the difficulty older people face getting their weekly grocery shopping, doing jobs around the house and the growing isolation that comes with failing health. We also aim to provide a wide range of supported volunteering opportunities for people of all ages and ability and these include shopper, driver, delivery assistant and office assistant.
Experience required: Decent cooking skills and an interest in helping others is the key to this role. You don't have to be the next Nigella Lawson but you do have to have an interest in supporting someone in your community.