This January, the MDXSU RAG society signed up to volunteer at a soup kitchen in Muswell Hill. The first sessions were a great success, giving 12 Middlesex students a chance to learn the ropes at an established kitchen, run by the Muswell Hill Baptist Church.

We chatted to Sophie McKay, the Vice President of Science, Health & Education schools and RAG society president, to find out more!

What inspired you to get involved with volunteering at a soup kitchen?

Living in London was a big eye-opener for me; there were almost 6,500 people sleeping rough on these streets in 2012. Volunteering has been a passion of mine since I was 16 so I looked for a local soup kitchen to help out with this winter.

Why Muswell Hill Baptist Church?

I contacted a number of local soup kitchens and Muswell Hill Baptist Church Soup Kitchen were the first to contact me back. They open their doors 5 nights a week offering a 2 course meal for 40 to 60 a night, and also offer a clothes bank. So when they contacted me back I was more than delighted to help out.

How many students got involved?

We have over 50 student register their interest through RAG so far, and we can take roughly 10 students with us each visit. On the first night we took 12, and the next night we took 7.

What sort of tasks did everyone do when they got there?

The volunteers helped with prepping the food, stocking the pantry, setting up tables, setting out the clothes donations shop, mopping the floors and serving visitors. One student even painted the female guests’ nails!

What sort of skills did volunteers pick up?

I think there is something truly special about doing something kind for other people, I think the students are not only helping the guests at this soup kitchen but learning and growing themselves too. So I guess personal development, time management, communication, motivating people, organisational and general people skills.

What was everyone’s feedback on the experience?

It was such a great night. There were about 50 guests in attendance so it was a big turnout! It was a new experience for all of us there, so before we started you could tell everyone was feeling a bit apprehensive, but after the briefing everyone put themselves out there. Everyone say they really enjoyed and would love to help out again. One student stayed even later than the rest of us, because she was enjoying it so much.

If others students want to volunteer, what do they need to know?

You need to be 19 years or older (however if you are younger you can still take part in prepping the food, for legal reasons you need to be over 19 years old to serve and interact with the guests).

To sign up for the next round of sessions, running from Sunday 12th January and throughout the spring term, please email me at s.mckay@mdx.ac.uk or text me on 07931812527!