I'm not going to dress this up. Volunteering on a Jefes Ramen night is graft. It's hot, it's loud, there's steam everywhere and at some point you'll be carrying something heavy through a pub you've never been in before.
It's also one of the best nights out you'll have all year.
I'm Jerelle, Jefe to most people, and I run Jefes Ramen, a community interest company from Stockport. We take big bowls of ramen into pubs, and every bowl is Buy 1 Give 1: it funds a matching meal for someone experiencing homelessness. I've been on the other side of hunger. I know what a hot meal means when you've got nothing. So when people ask me how they can volunteer at charity events in the UK and actually see what their time turns into, this is my answer.
This November we're taking the kitchen to two new cities, Bristol and Southampton, and I need a crew in both.
What volunteers actually do on a ramen night
There's no mystery to it. A night needs hands in three places:
- Chef: on the line with me, building bowls. You don't need to be a pro. You need to be calm, clean and quick to learn.
- Floor: getting bowls to people, keeping the room moving, talking to folk about why we're there.
- Prep: the work before the doors open, so the night runs smooth.
That's it. Kitchen, floor, prep. Pick what suits you and we'll sort the rest together.
You're not handing out leaflets. You're the reason the bowl gets made, and every bowl sold on a night you worked funds a matching meal. That's the whole point.
Bristol: Monday 9 November, The Punchbowl
First stop is Bristol. The Punchbowl Ale House & Kitchen, 23 Old Market St, Bristol BS2 0HB, Monday 9 November, 6–10pm.
A Monday, yeah. On purpose. Pubs have quiet nights, and a quiet night with a reason behind it turns into a busy one. The Punchbowl said yes to that, and I want a Bristol crew in there with me making it count.
If you're in Old Market, Easton, St Pauls or anywhere near, this one's yours. More about the night on the Bristol page, and you can book a bowl for Bristol on Eventbrite if you'd rather eat than graft.
Southampton: Tuesday 17 November, Platform Tavern
Then Southampton. Platform Tavern, Town Quay, Southampton SO14 2NY, Tuesday 17 November, 6–10pm.
Another midweek night, another pub that's up for doing something different with it. If you've been looking for volunteer food events in Southampton, something hands-on where you finish the night knowing exactly what you did, come down to the quay.
Details are on the Southampton page, and the Southampton Eventbrite is open for anyone who wants a bowl.
What to expect on the night
Straight answers:
- You'll be busy. Pop-ups don't have a slow gear once the doors open.
- You'll be with people who care. Nobody's here for a lanyard. They're here because the bowl means something.
- You'll learn fast. I'll show you what you need. Ask questions. Nobody's judging.
- You'll eat. I'm not having anyone work a ramen night hungry.
Tell me when you sign up if you've got allergies or access needs, and anything else I should know so I can look after you properly.
Sign up
It takes a couple of minutes. Go to the volunteer page, pick Volunteer, and tell me which city you're in and which role you fancy. I'll come back to you.
Not free on those nights? Two other ways to help:
- Run a pub or venue? Have a look at hosting a night. There's a write-up on how pubs host a charity pop-up too.
- Back the campaign. Our Crowdfunder, 382k Reasons, closes on 27 October. If you can't give time, that's the next best thing. No pressure.
New to how the bowls work? Here's what Buy 1 Give 1 actually means.
See you on the line.
Jerelle, Jefes Ramen