Employees at the Bristol branch of MACE Construction and Consultancy have given 27 accumulative working days of volunteering hours to FareShare South West this winter; packing food parcels, organising pallets and helping shift tonnes of food for collection and distribution. We asked Carly Weeks, a project manager at MACE who also coordinates their volunteering and fundraising, about why the cause means so much to her and why she volunteers…
Tell us a little more about you…
During the week I’m a construction Project Manager and at weekends you’ll find me mostly walking, whether that’s a dog walk, ticking off some miles on the southwest coast path or in and around Bristol. I’m also a big foodie, we are spoilt for choice in Bristol with so many great places!
What is your favourite thing about volunteering at FareShare South West?
You feel like you’re making a big difference, its enjoyable and everyone is so friendly! Being able to help so many people at once is really rewarding – packing boxes that will go to 120 people in one shift is brilliant.
What have you learnt through your shifts volunteering with FareShare South West?
With food being such an emotive subject through the pandemic that we shouldn’t take food for granted. I now completely run down my fridge before going food shopping so that nothing is wasted – it’s meant that I’ve also come up with some new and ‘interesting’ meals! Also that the kindness of humanity isn’t lost and that there are great people out there who care and offer their time and skills.
What would you say to anyone thinking of volunteering with FareShare South West?
Just do it! During the early days of the pandemic I reflected on how I used my time and what my priorities were, I realised that I didn’t have anything which gave me purpose outside of my family and career – volunteering and being involved with FareShare has provided that! Its also been a great opportunity to meet new people and work alongside colleagues.
Speaking of which, a big thank you to all Mace colleagues (especially Amy) who have volunteered and to all supply chain partners who have donated to our fundraising appeal ‘Bristol Construction Collective Foodstock 2020 appeal’. Everyone is a hero and we’re truly grateful!
