A Cambridge volunteer who has cerebral palsy and autism has written a heartwarming poem about his love for helping others, as the community dining charity FoodCycle issues an urgent appeal for more volunteers this summer.
Volunteer shares his passion through poetry
Sam Goodwin, aged 27, has been volunteering with FoodCycle almost every week for the past three years, regularly washing up at the Cambridge community meal at St Andrew's Street Baptist Church on Saturdays and at the Ipswich project at Burlington Road Baptist Church on Tuesdays. He first got involved after being diagnosed with autism and seeking opportunities to gain life experience.
Now, Sam is backing FoodCycle's 'Summer of Peas and Love' appeal by sharing a poem he wrote about the joys and purpose he finds in his role as a pot washer. The poem reads: "In the heart of the kitchen, where pots do reside, I stand as a volunteer, with sponge as my guide... For in volunteering, we find our true worth, in the simple acts of service, that shape the earth."
Urgent need for volunteers
FoodCycle needs to fill more than 8,500 volunteer slots nationally over July and August, when numbers often drop as regular helpers take holidays or care for children and grandchildren. The charity runs nine weekly meals in the East of England, in Cambridge, Chelmsford, Clacton, Ipswich, Luton, Norwich, Peterborough, and two in Milton Keynes. Last year, these projects served 19,436 meals and saved 58.7 tonnes of surplus food from going to waste.
Each week, volunteers take part in a 'Ready Steady Cook' style challenge to turn surplus food into nourishing, free meals for anyone who needs them. Volunteers are needed to help cook, serve, wash up, and deliver surplus food at all FoodCycle projects across England and Wales.
Sam's volunteering journey
Sam is among thousands of volunteers who help at FoodCycle's community meals each year, collectively feeding around 3,500 people weekly. He enjoys his pot-washing role so much that he has travelled hundreds of miles by train from his home in Burgess Hill, West Sussex, to help at other FoodCycle projects, clocking up almost 400 volunteering hours since July 2023. In addition to Cambridge and Ipswich, he has volunteered at Leeds, Bath, Portsmouth, Sheffield, Bristol, Huddersfield, Havant, Peterborough, Exeter, Clacton, Norwich, Southampton, and Cardiff.
Sam got involved after noticing that FoodCycle is a Disability Confident Employer, part of a UK Government scheme recognising organisations that create inclusive opportunities for disabled people and those with long-term health conditions.
Impact on Sam's life
Sam said: "FoodCycle has been brilliant in terms of giving me an opportunity to learn how my autism works in the real world. When you're pot washing, you can see that you have a pile of dishes to do, and afterwards the kitchen looks a lot cleaner and tidier than it did when you first walked in - and you know that that's going to make a difference to the guests because that's contributing to them getting a healthy meal. I almost feel able bodied when I am volunteering. I feel like I can go to a session and my disabilities don't matter - that my disabilities don't define me." He added: "I would encourage anyone to have a go at volunteering with FoodCycle!"
FoodCycle's regional manager praises Sam
Holly Wright, FoodCycle's regional manager for the East of England, said: "Sam is a hero pot washer! The washing up is a vital task to keep things running smoothly, and he's a joy at every project he goes to. We have a few different roles people can get involved with at FoodCycle community meals - from cooking, to serving food and chatting with guests, delivering surplus food to our projects, or doing the washing up. We'd love for anyone who is interested to sign up via our website."
Broader context of need
One in four UK adults report feeling lonely, while 7.5 million people live in households experiencing food poverty. A FoodCycle survey of over 1,760 guests last autumn found that 67% cannot afford to buy the food they need, and 67% eat most meals alone. The survey also showed that 79% of guests feel happier after attending, 73% feel less lonely, and 75% eat more fruit and vegetables as a result. Nationally, FoodCycle volunteers served more than 177,000 community meals last year and saved 349 tonnes of surplus food from going to waste.
CEO's call to action
FoodCycle CEO Mark Game said: "Too many people are struggling to afford the food they need, and too many are experiencing loneliness. That's why FoodCycle's community meals are more important than ever. Every week our volunteers help create welcoming spaces where people can enjoy nourishing food and company, while ensuring good food doesn't go to waste. We know these meals make a real difference to the guests who join us - but we need more help, as demand remains high all year round. This summer we need to fill more than 8,500 volunteer slots around England and Wales to keep our projects running. If you can spare a few hours we'd love you to join us and help make a difference in your local community."
How to volunteer
Anyone over 18 can register to volunteer with FoodCycle, with roles including cooking, hosting, and delivering surplus food. No experience is needed, and full training is provided. FoodCycle's weekly meals across the East of England include: Cambridge on Saturdays at 12.30pm at St Andrew's Street Baptist Church; Chelmsford on Thursdays at 5.30pm at Springfield Park Baptist Church; Clacton on Mondays at 12pm at Pier Avenue Baptist Church; Ipswich on Tuesdays at 4pm at Burlington Baptist Church; Luton on Tuesdays at 6pm at Hightown Baptist Church; Milton Keynes Fishermead on Thursdays at 7pm at the Seventh Day Adventist Church; Milton Keynes Wolverton on Fridays at 12.30pm at The Old Bath House; Norwich on Fridays at 7pm at the Friends Meeting House; and Peterborough on Mondays at 12.30pm at Park Road Baptist Church.
