We offer volunteering with a difference.
Over 70 joined us for the Big Help Out 8th May 23 Kings Coronation to support Ukrainian families with a picnic
The Big Help Out 8th May 2023
Ukrainian picnic at Maymessy for The Big Help Out,Kings Coronation 8th May 2023
We held a fun picnic at Maymessy for local Ukrainian families who live in Wantage, Faringdon and surrounding villages.
The Big Help Out encouraged volunteers to help out at Maymessy.
We were thrilled to see the Ukrainian families who came last summer as well as new arrivals and a host of volunteers to help.
VOLUNTEERS WEEK 1-7TH JUNE 2023
Maymessy is run predominately by volunteers and we feel so grateful to have such a variety of skilled and loyal help.
Just to give you an idea…
The numbers of volunteer hours per week June 2022 - June 23 came to just under 18 HOURS PER WEEK.
I would like to thank the tremendous team at Maymessy.
The Directors
Mary
Andrea
Tom
Mike with strategic support
Support with Refugee families and the Women's group
Jane
Daisy
Cathy
Kitchen hands
Em M
Emma
Hebe
Gardening group
Lead by Kate
Camila
Cat
Ellie Mae
Samantha
Sam
Ellen
Support with Style acre and the cook book
Lydia
My family with Ukrainian picnics & young carers
Poppy
Matilda
Mark
Many, many more people to thank for one off visits, support with cooking workshops and other pro bono work. Sorry I cannot name you all.
GARDENING CLUB FOR VOLUNTEERS
We have set up a garden club with the amazing Kate from the Botanical Gardens Oxford who is kindly volunteering her time. People from past cookery classes with mental health issues have met during 2022 and 2023 and will continue into 2024 to volunteer their time to plant and weed the shared garden.
We welcome Nix who is shadowing Kate and learning from her knowledge in a practical way.
Thank you to funding from OCVA to support our club in 2023 and into 2024.
Past volunteering includes:
Ukrainian Picnics summer 2022 and 2023 to support newly arrived families and their hosts
Care packages for newly arrived Afghan families living in a holding hotel. And Easter Eggs for all the chidlren.
Volunteer mentoring with 8 Refugee Resource ladies and be-friending scheme for 12 ladies, 6 from Refugee Resource and 6 from Oxfordshire for 12 months over lockdown. Activities included self portraits, cooking and visiting local attractions.
Support with up skilling with local mums who have been on past cooking classes. See Meridian video Adults
Support with local young people with cookery activities. See video Young People
Lockdown 2
Kirley Sue online cookery classes for charities in Oxfordshire. Gingerbread people and Valentines biscuits
Lockdown 1
Video Volunteers week Maymessy
Weekly care packages to 96 NHS staff in critical care over 3 months in Lockdown 1
Weekly care and support to The Childrens Hospital over 3 months in Lockdown 1
Care packages to Pain, Respiratory and other Departments in Churchill hospital during Covid.
Care package to Fire service at Wantage Fire Station
Please do get in touch if you want to volunteer.
“I volunteered for Maymessy in 2018 as part of my Duke of Edinburgh bronze award. It is the only social enterprise of its kind in my area, I wanted to help young people being a young person myself. I enjoyed planting the vegetable garden as it gave me a sense of satisfaction knowing that my efforts were helping other people my age. I also feel I have benefited from volunteering at the events hosted at Maymessy to get an insight into organising charitable events.”
Tilda Leighton Sissons
