Maymessy, New Year, New Pivot

In lockdown 1, Maymessy volunteered by making snacks and care packages for the NHS in Oxford from March to June 2020. We provided Easter care packages to NHS staff working in the Covid 19 ward at John Radcliffe, including those in the Respiratory team, the Pain department and the Infectious disease departments at the Churchill Hospital, Oxford and the staff and parents at the Children’s Hospital, Oxford.

We also provided care packages to Wantage fire service.

“I can’t even tell you how grateful staff were this morning for your delivery/care packages. We really appreciate it. We even had tears!” Manager of Respiratory Team

We are very grateful that Maymessy has been nominated and recognised as a volunteer hero by our MP David Johnston for our hard work during Covid 19 lockdown 1 supporting NHS Oxford.

In lockdown 2, We were able to run a series of cookery classes on a budget for families in the Wantage Corona support group struggling financially.

We had the first four mums in for a series of 5 cooking classes in November 2020 and they were absolutely fantastic, wholeheartedly throwing themselves into the course.

Stacey “I am learning a lot about vegetables – really enjoying it and never touched any of the vegetables apart from tin tomatoes. Really educational – did not realise how easy it was to cook from fresh.”

We look forward to welcoming in Group 2 when lockdown 3 is finished.

In Lockdown 3, we are going to run a zoom Valentines biscuit making workshop to the charities Be free young carers, FAAAZE – and YoCO who come to Maymessy as well as being available to the families we support in Wantage. This is going to be run by Kirly Sue, a vegan expert chef for Maymessy and it will be recorded. Do contact Anna if you wish to view it. https://www.kirlysueskitchen.co.uk/

We look forward to opening our kitchen physically not virtually soon.

Volunteering

I am very lucky to have Laurie come on board to support our marketing and social media and thank you to Georgia Broome @gb communications for getting Maymessy up and organised for this transition.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/georgiabroome/

I also welcome a student called Millie who is volunteering for her silver Duke of Edinburgh Award. She is collecting and collating easy recipes on a budget for children’s school lunches. Please do look out for her on my FB and send her some good ideas. The recipes will be available for anyone in Oxfordshire and beyond. https://www.facebook.com/maymessycook

Garlands barn

Garlands Barn is a venue with a conscience, funds from rent of the venue support the good things we do at the social enterprise Maymessy.

If you are looking for a venue, please consider this ethical choice. You can rent the space for social distancing business events, parties, weddings and wakes. With 24 acres of secluded outdoor space, there is plenty of room to enjoy uninterrupted views of the Ridgeway.

I look forward to sharing stories of great events with you soon.