I volunteer because I cannot ignore a reality that sits in plain sight: good food is wasted while people around us are under pressure to feed themselves, their families and eat well. Volunteering is one of the most direct ways I know to turn values into action, quietly, consistently, and locally.
This “Out & About” visit took me to Waste to Plate in Thames Ditton where I volunteer once a week for an afternoon in the shop: Waste 2 Plate is a community initiative Run by Vicki Zadeh, that rescues surplus food from supermarkets and local businesses and redirects it back into the community hence reducing waste and improving access to nutritious food.
Why I volunteer
I volunteer for something that is easy to overlooked: connection. Each shift puts me alongside people of all ages, School children, students, parents, older residents, and local volunteers, each with their own story, pressures, and perspective. That mix matters. It keeps me grounded in what’s really happening in our community and reminds me that support is not “one-size-fits-all”.
The benefit for me is twofold:
- I leave feeling more optimistic about what people can achieve together,
- I gain fresh insight into the everyday realities different generations are navigating, whether that’s the cost-of-living squeeze, loneliness, or simply trying to stretch a budget without sacrificing nutrition.
What it looks like in practice
On the ground, the work is practical and purposeful: sorting, stocking, checking quality, creating order from unpredictability, and helping the shop run smoothly so people can access food with dignity and without judgement.
Waste to Plate describes its Community Shop as an inclusive, low or no-cost experience where people can freely access what they need, while building a stronger culture of “surplus not waste.”
Why this matters: SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) and the reality behind the statistics
This work aligns strongly with Sustainable Development Goal 2: Zero Hunger, which focuses on ending hunger and ensuring access to safe, nutritious and sufficient food. It also supports SDG Target 12.3, which calls for halving per-capita global food waste at retail and consumer levels by 2030. In other words, tackling food waste and supporting food access are not separate issues. They are part of the same system and the same solution.
Partnership that makes it possible
A key enabler of this CIC is a partnership with FareShare Sussex & Surrey, helping surplus food move quickly and safely to where it can do the most good. FareShare Sussex & Surrey profiled Waste to Plate as a Thames Ditton initiative running a community shop and further redistributing food to local charities, reducing food waste while improving food security.
URGENT APPEAL: Waste to Plate urgently needs new premises in Thames Ditton
Right now, Waste to Plate is seeking new premises in Thames Ditton due to the need to relocate from Vital Village Community Hub. The appeal is open to temporary or permanent options, large or small, standalone or shared.
If you know of any suitable space, or can connect the team with someone who might, please share the message. A single introduction could secure continuity for a service that many people quietly rely on.
How you can help (practical options)
- Premises: If you know of space in Thames Ditton that could work (temporary or permanent), please reach out to Waste to Plate and or Vicki Zadeh directly.
- Volunteer: Regular help creates stability and increases the amount of food that can be rescued and redistributed.
- Business support: If you run a local business, consider donating surplus food, services, or sponsorship support.
Closing reflection
Volunteering is often described as “giving back.” I see it as something more practical: strengthening the systems that help people get through difficult seasons and doing it in a way that reduces waste and builds resilience.
If you have been looking for a meaningful, local way to support sustainability and community wellbeing at the same time, this is it.
Learn more: Waste to Plate: https://wastetoplate.co.uk/
Read the feature: Waste to Plate: Keeping the Community Fed (FareShare Sussex & Surrey) https://faresharesussexandsurrey.org.uk/waste-to-plate-keeping-the-community-fed/