‘Volunteering is such a brilliant boost for my mental wellbeing,’ says Help The Hungry volunteer

While millions shelter inside, volunteers like Deborah Chancellor have left the safety of their homes to support vulnerable people

Deborah Chancellor is one of the Felix Project volunteers who is helping us in our bid to feed vulnerable Londoners (Richard Stanwix)

An interior designer received a “brilliant boost” for her mental wellbeing when she joined an army of volunteers supporting a food poverty charity during the coronavirus pandemic.

While millions of people across the UK are spending the majority of their time indoors to prevent the spread of Covid-19, volunteers like Deborah Chancellor have bravely left the safety of their homes to support London’s most vulnerable.

Chancellor runs her own interior design company and started volunteering for The Independent’s appeal partner, The Felix Project, in March when the UK entered a nationwide lockdown.

Chancellor, who is from west London and has two children, tells The Independent about the satisfaction she gets from volunteering as a food distribution driver for Felix.

How and why did you get involved with the Felix Project?

“I was very lucky because I got involved right at the beginning of the lockdown. I saw an advertisement that popped up on my Instagram looking for volunteers.

“Everyone was feeling so upset and anxious at that time and I wanted to try and do something to help.

“My mum was born during the war and growing up my parents have always been against food waste. I’m aware from living in London that there are many people who are living in desperate straits.

“I didn’t have any reservations about volunteering during the lockdown because when you see the bin men and the NHS frontline workers out there, I think if they’re doing it, why shouldn’t I?

“I was just really keen to give back and help out where possible.”

How have you seen the demand change over the past six weeks?

“So far I’ve done shifts in the warehouse and also as a driver. The big difference is that as a driver I’m now out there on my own because of social distancing.

“The first couple of times I went out it was a bit challenging because when you have someone with you in the van, they can help you with the deliveries.

Deborah started volunteering for The Felix Project at the start of the nationwide lockdown (Jim Chancellor)

“I also noticed that during the lockdown the streets were eerily quiet, London doesn’t feel the same anymore. For the first couple of trips it felt quite surreal being out there on my own.

“At the food hubs you see a lot of people queueing well in advance of the time that the slots are open. I went to do a delivery at a refuge for women fleeing abuse and a lady called out to me from the queue to say how brilliant it was what we were doing.

“It’s frightening to think of the women who have to leave their homes with no money, it really makes you appreciate the food you have at home.”

Is there a single incident or moment or person you think embodies what you have been trying to achieve?

“One of the things that has stuck with me, is hearing about the women who are already in a terrible circumstance and then they are having to flee a dangerous situation in the lockdown.

“It’s also really nice to deliver to schools knowing that families and young children really need these supplies as well.”

You’re obviously doing a fantastic job but how much more is needed to help those in need?

“I know that Felix has a massive army of volunteers but they still need to continue raising funds.

“I suppose it’s difficult because restaurants are closed so the charity isn’t able to get as much excess food as they would normally get.

“If we’re able to reach out more to wider channels such as farms, then hopefully we’ll be able to reach more people with the food deliveries.

“For example, I know some volunteers from Felix went down to Kent to help with the excess harvest of cauliflowers that was going to go to waste.”

What would you say to anyone who is thinking of donating to our Help The Hungry appeal?

“I had some anxiety when lockdown started and of course it goes on while we still feel the devastating impact of the virus, but volunteering has been such a brilliant boost for my own wellbeing.

“To feel the mental satisfaction of being physically tired after a busy shift and have the sense that I’ve been a small part of a whole army of people doing good, is quite something. It definitely beats staying at home and worrying.

“Sometimes when you donate to a charity you don’t know where the money is going, but this is a really tangible operation.

“From all of the generous donations, the funds go straight to helping Felix source and sorting the food in the warehouses and then by the evening it’s feeding a family in need. It’s instant gratification.

“I also love the fact that the environment is being considered when it comes to Felix’s food waste operation. It’s a win, win.”

The Independent is encouraging readers to help groups that are trying to feed the hungry during the crisis – find out how you can help here. Follow this link to donate to our campaign in London, in partnership with the Evening Standard.