Bondholders thanked for stepping up to the plate

YMCA Derbyshire has thanked Marketing Derby Bondholders for stepping away from their desks to cook meals for the community.

The charity runs a monthly Community Meals project at its London Road base, working with businesses and partner organisations who undertake to pay for and cook a two-course meal for up to 80 people.

The project has become so successful that cooking slots are filled for months in advance with companies keen to give back to the community and provide hot meals for those who need them most.

The company providing the most meals for YMCA Derbyshire last year was IT company L.E.A.D. IT Services, which provides technical support to businesses and nearly 200 schools and trusts across the UK.

Sophie Jepson, resource and project manager at L.E.A.D. IT Services, said: “We always enjoy cooking meals for YMCA Derbyshire – it’s a nice change from our day jobs which are obviously fairly technical.

“It is a brilliant charity and we’re happy to lend our support where we can.

“There are still a lot of people struggling with the cost-of-living crisis and if we can help by cooking a meal for a morning, then it’s a pleasure to do so.”

Another company which joined the project was Vibrant Accountancy, which provided a meal cooked up by learners from special educational needs organisation Transition 2.

Bev Wakefield, founder and owner of Vibrant Accountancy, said: “It was an amazing day.

“Vibrant’s vision is all about making an impact on our clients and our community, so we were very happy to come with the learners from Transition 2 to deliver the meal.

“It got the Vibrant team involved in the charity, but it was also about giving back and supporting the community.”

Simon Hancox, deputy head of service at Transition 2, said the YMCA meal was part of learners’ “bespoke pathway into employment”.

He said: “Transition 2 is committed to improving vocational outcomes for young people with SEND in Derby as part of Derby City Council’s plan for growth and building a resilient city that delivers strategies to promote inclusion in learning and employment.

“This event, and the build up to it, has helped learners to improve their functional skills, self-management, teamwork, personal and food hygiene, customer service, health and safety, stamina and work readiness, and to build aspirations for future work possibilities.”

Debs Powell, from YMCA Derbyshire, said: “The support we have had has been amazing.

“It’s so heart-warming that companies and partner organisations are willing to both pay for and send volunteers to cook a meal for people in our community.

“The meals are always so well received and it’s a great opportunity for businesses to volunteer and provide some help where it is really needed.”

Anyone who would like to take part in YMCA Derbyshire’s Community Meals can e-mail debs.powell@ymcaderbyshire.org.uk.