Volunteering at Christmas: Mike’s Day at the REfUSE Community Kitchen
News and information from the Advent IM team.
- by Olivia Lawlor-Blackburn
- Advent IM Blog
For many of us, Christmas is a time spent with family, comfort and celebration — but for others, it can be one of the hardest days of the year. In December 2025, our CEO, Mike, chose to spend his Christmas supporting a remarkable organisation that makes sure no one in their community is left behind: REfUSE, a community kitchen and social enterprise tackling food waste, food insecurity and social isolation.
Although REfUSE currently operates as a Community Interest Company, they’ve shared that charitable status is on the horizon. Their mission is simple but powerful: rescue food that would otherwise go to waste, turn it into nutritious meals, and provide a safe, welcoming space for people facing loneliness, financial challenges, mental health struggles or just looking for connection.
Getting Involved
Ten days before Christmas, Mike reached out to ask how he could help — and by the following Saturday he was in the REfUSE kitchen, apron on, getting to know the team and learning how the space supports the community year‑round.
Twice a month, REfUSE also opens for a special “restaurant night”, one of the ways they bring in essential income. These evenings are run on a pay-as-you-feel model. Each guest receives an anonymous envelope and contributes whatever they can — whether that’s enough for a two-course meal or nothing at all. This system preserves dignity while ensuring everyone can participate. As Mike quickly learned, the unwritten rule is just as compassionate: if someone is hungry enough to ask for a third course, they’re given one, no questions asked.
Mike volunteered at one of these restaurant nights, experiencing first-hand the joy, laughter and community spirit that fills the café.
Preparing for Christmas Day
On 23 December, after finishing a shift at the warehouse, Mike headed straight back into the kitchen — this time to tackle the serious business of preparing Christmas dinner for around 70 people.
That meant mountains of vegetables, especially a heroic quantity of sprouts. The afternoon turned into evening as volunteers chopped, peeled and prepped, determined to make Christmas Day special for every guest who walked through the door.
At 8:00am on Christmas morning, while most of the country was still asleep, Mike was back in the kitchen to help bring the day to life.
Alongside his kitchen duties, Mike volunteered as one of the day’s drivers, collecting guests who had no transport and making sure they could join in the celebrations. Back at REfUSE, the team cooked and served 65 full Christmas dinners — and later sent another 30 meals home with people who needed them.
After dinner, the café filled with the warmth of carol singing, a Christmas quiz, and even a visit from Santa handing out presents. Many of those attending would otherwise have spent the day alone or without a proper meal. Knowing that made the experience all the more meaningful.
By the time Mike finished his final drop‑off, cleaned the kitchen and helped return the café to normal, it was 8pm — a full twelve hours of giving time, energy and kindness.
Tiring? Absolutely.
Inspired by what he saw — the dedication of the volunteers, the resilience of the community, and the impact of simply showing up — Mike has committed to volunteering with REfUSE regularly throughout the year.
It was a Christmas spent not in front of the fire, but shoulder to shoulder with people changing lives in real, tangible ways. And for Mike, it was one of the most rewarding days of the year.