Maymessy CIC
A SOCIAL ENTERPRISE
Maymessy supports local charities in Oxfordshire, helping young carers, people with mental health issues , families struggling financially, those with special complex needs, refugee families and domestic abuse survivors.
We are supported by Maia, our chef and project manager and skilled, regular volunteers. The team are all DBS checked with safeguarding and chosen specifically to run bespoke workshops to support each charity that comes here.
We are situated in rural South Oxfordshire surrounded by our own land, views of Ridgeway with a purpose built cookery school.
This is unique in Oxfordshire
COOKERY CLASSES. GARDENING. EVENTS. TIME OUTSIDE
Maymessy provides an inclusive space so marginalised groups can achieve greater wellbeing.
Benefits include better health and wellbeing through bespoke cookery classes learning about healthy eating, exercise and time outside in the shared garden.
We increase the skills and food knowledge of young people and adults by expert chefs who deliver food education. Groups also learn about seasonality and grow and pick veg and fruit from the shared garden which we use in the kitchen for cooking.
We provide up skilling opportunities and training for our beneficiaries, mentoring and help into work.
We offer bespoke workshops such as cooking healthy recipes on a budget, advice on food and fuel poverty, therapeutic cooking and gardening.
We promote social inclusion, integration and social mixing in Oxfordshire by providing activities and events at Maymessy.
Maymessy is where good food gets its boots muddy, offering kids and adults needing support the chance to follow their fruit and veg from plot via pan to plate.
And we also have lots of fun.
A Social purpose
2021, Maymessy was awarded the Points of Light award which is given by the Prime Minister’s office and recognises outstanding individual volunteers - people who are making a change in their community.
In a personal letter to Anna, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said:
“I was inspired to hear about ‘Maymessy’ and the ‘messy’ cookery workshops you run to help people learn vital life skills and gain confidence.
“With your virtual classes, you have helped hundreds of families learn to cook nutritious and budget-friendly meals, while also whipping up delicious food packages for local healthcare workers.”
Maymessy is thrilled to be recognised as one of most impressive social enterprises in the UK for 2020.
https://www.socialentsindex.co.uk/the-index/
Anna has been recognised as a volunteer hero by MP David Johnston for support with NHS Oxford during Covid 19 and is one of 100 women in the UK to be put on WISE list 2020 Women of inspiration.
THE DRIVING FORCE .
Maymessy has been founded by Anna Richards. Anna has moved from London with her family and turned a disused cow shed into a beautiful barn which holds the cookery school. The social enterprise was launched in May 2017. She is a qualified teacher with nutritional accreditation from Leiths, the renowned cookery school. She is also proud to have be invited to be a Fellow at the RSA and honoured to attend International Women’s Day at 10 Downing Street 2023.
Oh, and the name? “Maymessy” mixes the springiness of being outside with the joy of making a mess in the kitchen. It comes from the word “may-mess”, used by the poet Gerard Manley Hopkins to describe hedge blossom in full spring. “Maymessers” will twig it soon enough!
