The charity powered by local giving, we have a growing bank of over 40 active community projects; from health and wellbeing centres to community grocers, scouts huts to football teams, there’s no shortage of things to get stuck into across North Manchester.
Our mission is simple, to uncover exciting neighbourhood ideas and connect them with the people and support needed for them to flourish.
Volunteer Matchmaking
Whether you’re a team of one or 100, we’ll help you design the perfect Giving Back Day(s) that fit your schedule and interests. No guesswork or planning, just meaningful connections with causes that matter. All you have to do is show up and enjoy the fun!
Our Friend Joel: A Perfect Match with Feed My City
One of our recent matches came through a collaboration with Pure Innovations. Commissioned by Manchester City Council, Pure Innovations has been supporting individuals with disabilities to develop the skills and confidence they need to access employment and engage in meaningful activities for over 30 years.
Our Future is one of Pure Innovations’ key programs, designed to help adults who are autistic and/or have learning disabilities to build life skills, increase confidence, access their community and find volunteering roles. That’s how we met Joel.
Joel was introduced to us by Jennie, an Engagement Worker from Pure Innovations, and we knew right away we could help Joel find the right volunteering fit. It didn’t take long before we matched him with Simon and the rest of the brilliant team at Feed My City.
Feed My City
Feed My City is an emergency food charity that offers free, nourishing vegetarian meals and food parcels, with no questions asked. They serve with compassion and dignity, offering a lifeline to those most in need in Manchester.
The wonderful Simon from Feed My City has shared glowing feedback about Joel’s consistent involvement, and we’re so excited to hear how much he’s enjoying his time there.
We recently caught up with Joel and Jennie to hear more about his journey and how volunteering has had a positive impact – keep reading to hear more!
READ ABOUT
Joe's Journey…
Hi Jennie! How did you first get connected with Joel?
When I first started working with Joel, he was looking for the perfect volunteering role. We set about finding the perfect role and in the meantime, we invited Joel to attend our 10 week course to help him establish a good routine. Joel is visually impaired and likes to keep busy, otherwise he can become drowsy, so it was essential we found a role that would keep him active.
Joel has a fantastic sense of humour and is always joking that I can’t keep up with him and I am too slow! He’s great fun to work with and we have had some great laughs. I’ve also supported Joel in joining a blind baseball and cricket group, which he’s really enjoying. It’s been great to see him have fun and connect with others in a supportive environment.
I knew that in the right setting, Joel could thrive and I’m so pleased that Step Up MCR helped connect him with Feed My City, where he’s now part of a busy, supportive team. He’s settled in so well and it’s brilliant to see him enjoying his role!
Hi Joel! What have you learned during your time at Feed My City?
I have gotten to know a few of the other volunteers now. I had travel training to learn the route and can now travel there independently. There is a special machine for chopping the vegetables, which I have learnt to use. It can chop them very quickly. I am now able to help out a lot in the kitchen. I am also helping deliver the meals to the customers. I am getting life experience, and I like helping other people.
Jennie, what are the pros to volunteering?
Volunteering can be incredibly beneficial, especially for individuals who may have faced certain barriers to employment or not felt valued in the past. For many of our learners, volunteering offers an opportunity to develop a sense of purpose, build confidence and gain new skills, all of which can be stepping stones to future paid work.
For someone like Joel, volunteering has been beneficial in many ways. It has helped him establish a routine, something he struggles with. He is developing important life skills like time management and learning to take responsibility for his commitments. It has helped him to feel engaged and appreciated. During his first session at Feed My City, Joel was surprised to learn that for many of the individuals they serve, the meals that they provide might be the only one they receive that day. After hearing this, Joel expressed how proud he felt to be part of something so meaningful.
At Pure Innovations, we see the value in volunteering as a way for our learners to develop skills, forge connections and feel empowered. As well as giving back to the community, it is also helping them build the confidence and skills they need to take their next step into employment.
Joel, what do you like the most about volunteering at Feed My City?
The people are great to work with. It makes me feel like I am making a difference by helping these people. I was nervous when I first started, because I had never done it before, but it’s exciting to start something new.
Jennie, do you think Feed My City was the right match for Joel?
Seeing Joel take on responsibility and genuinely enjoy his role at Feed My City is amazing! Simon and the team have been incredibly supportive. They are all so friendly and passionate about what they do. They’re keen to see Joel develop and I honestly think they now consider him as a valued member of the team.
