I started volunteering at Migrateful in the summer of 2024. I did one class – and I was hooked!
What more could you want from a volunteer experience? Learning new cuisines, meeting people in a city where making connections is notoriously difficult, and becoming part of a community that supports migrants, asylum seekers and refugees to access opportunities for paid work and training.
My first cookery class was with Turkish chef Yasemin, who is now an alumnus of Migrateful. I remember feeling incredibly lucky walking into the class and learning a family recipe for a dish I had previously only enjoyed in restaurants or from frozen bags I’d picked up on Green Lanes when I was younger.
I left that first volunteer experience knowing how to make it myself – and it was the best version I’d ever had.
At first, like many volunteers, I thought I was simply giving my time to support a cause I cared about. But I quickly found that volunteering evolved into something more than service. Sometimes, in showing up for others, you discover new parts of yourself, too.
As I started volunteering more regularly, meeting more chefs, like Najee from Afghanistan or Hero from Kurdistan, I realised I didn’t just want to be involved occasionally; I wanted to be part of Migrateful in a more permanent way. So when a role opened up in the HQ marketing team, I applied, and I’ve been here for over a year and a half.
Since being on the other side, I have gained a much deeper appreciation of how much care, coordination and work go into every class. It’s been particularly enjoyable seeing ideas turn into real impact, such as being part of the crowdfunding campaign for the new Bristol cookery school. Seeing people come together to support a project like this was a welcome reminder of connection and solidarity in a time of division.
As we celebrate Volunteers’ Week, I’ve been reflecting on my own experience and speaking with others whose connection to Migrateful has evolved in similar ways. Their stories are a reminder that volunteering is not just about the time people give, but about the journeys that begin because someone decided to show up.
Faith’s Journey: Volunteer to Facilitator
What started as volunteering in Bristol grew into a role as a class facilitator in London. This gave Faith a new perspective on what goes into the running of each class.
“I’ve gained more insight into how much work the HQ Team put into ensuring classes run smoothly.”
She also shared her favourite Migrateful dish – which is gold dust coming from Faith, who’s attended over 200 classes. “I love so many of the dishes, but the one I can’t stop thinking about (and could happily eat every day) is Chef Sahar’s Iranian Ash Reshteh!”
For Faith, Migrateful brings together people who love food, connection and culture, while offering a chance to build skills and meet others with shared interests.
Huda’s Journey: Committed Volunteer
Huda also first came to Migrateful through a friend’s recommendation and has now volunteered at more than seventy classes over the last three years.
She tells us, “I have very nice memories working and getting to know so many lovely people with the Migrateful team.”
One standout recipe for her has been Chef Akram’s showstopping pineapple curry.
Huda’s message to anyone thinking of joining is simple:
“I would encourage everyone to volunteer with Migrateful as they do great work. It is a very friendly environment, and you get to meet lovely people.”
People come for many reasons: food, culture, community, or simply to give their time, but many stay because the experience feels genuinely human.
You’re not just helping at a class; you’re sharing conversations, hearing stories behind family recipes, and slowly becoming familiar faces to people you may never have otherwise met.
Depending on the class, volunteers might help with set up, welcome guests or support the participants’ cooking. But one of the best parts remains the same no matter which class you go to: you get to sit down at the end of the session and share your meal. You also get to take the recipes home, which means the experience often lasts far beyond the class itself.
What struck me early on was how easy it was to get involved. You can sign up for one class through Migrateful’s volunteer portal whenever it suits you without committing huge amounts of time, but still come away feeling part of something meaningful.
Thank you to all our brilliant volunteers for the time, energy and enthusiasm you bring to Migrateful! And, if you’ve been thinking about volunteering at a class, but haven’t quite got round to it yet, take this as your sign – we’d love to have you!
