On 26 January 2026, FareShare North East released its 2025 Year-in-Review, calling for more local volunteers in Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, to keep food deliveries moving. The charity said that while it has the food rescued from being wasted, it is short of people to help move it to more than 30 local groups that rely on those deliveries.
Local organisations like FoodCycle Gateshead in Felling use these deliveries to cook three-course community meals every Friday. Other groups, such as Embells CIC, run community pantries that provide affordable groceries to families affected by rising supermarket prices.
Jake Hanmore, Chief Executive (CEO) of FareShare North East, said the charity is recruiting warehouse pickers and Driver’s Mates (van assistants) to support drivers. He explained that although 2025 was a record year for redistributing food across the region, more hands are needed in 2026 to ensure the service remains stable for the people who need it most.
FareShare asks most volunteers to give about four hours of their time once a week for at least three months. John, a FareShare volunteer featured in the regional volunteer spotlight, said: “I started volunteering to give back, but seeing the relief on a parent’s face when we pull up with the van—that’s what keeps me coming back every Thursday.”
Without more consistent help from the community, some local food services could struggle to keep their shelves full. Residents interested in helping can sign up through FareShare North East’s website to join the team and help reduce food waste in the area.
About this article: This story was put together with the help of AI tools and checked by a real person on our team. We're a small crew trying to cover as much of the UK as we can on a limited budget. We're getting better every day - but we're not perfect yet. If something looks off, let us know. You're part of the process.
