Law firm staff cook up a ‘bonzer’ meal for the community

Staff at HR and employment law firm Precept have been volunteering at YMCA Derbyshire, cooking lunches for the community.

The firm, which is part of the Barron McCann Group, recently took part in the YMCA Derbyshire Community Meal.

Held in collaboration with local mental health charity Head High, it gives local businesses and community groups the opportunity to provide a nourishing meal for people who might be feeling isolated.

To mark Australia Day, Precept staff served traditional Australian pie, mash and peas followed by Lamingtons – a butter cake coated in an outer layer of chocolate sauce and rolled in desiccated coconut.

They also donned comedy hats decorated with miniature corks, and themed the dining room accordingly.

More than 100 people attended the event at the YMCA, in London Road, which is aimed at combatting loneliness, a major cause of mental health problems amongst adults.

Also enjoying lunch were members of YMCA in Capetown, who were visiting the city to hear of the successful projects that their counterparts in Derby have been involved with.

Rob Tice, managing director at Precept, said: “When we heard about the community meal, we thought that it would be a great way of supporting the YMCA in a practical way.

“We found it hard work but a great team-building exercise and we all found it very rewarding.

“The best part, for me, was meeting and spending time with the people who attended the lunch.

“We’d highly recommend that other community groups and businesses get involved.”