On Thursday 5th June, as a Do Good, Feel Good event, we volunteered at "Beyond Gold at Middlesbrough Town Hall". 

Following the success of the Sustainable Food Places Gold Award, Good Food Middlesbrough organised a Beyond Gold event to bring people from across the region to come together for a day of inspiration, action, and great food. There were guest speakers, a free sustainable lunch, and dynamic workshops with the focus of shaping the future of our local food systems. 

The volunteering day started with us helping to set up the event, meet and greet the attendees, allocate wrist bands, and show people to their seats. Throughout the day we served snacks and kept the area clean and tidy. We buddied up with the external stall holders to assist with their delivery. This volunteering helped to develop numerous skills; communication, networking, teamwork, event organising, presence and attention to detail.

The volunteers took part in the following workshops and discussions:

• Future of Food in Middlesbrough
• Food for the Planet
• Building Resilient Communities through food.  
• Good Food Local Northeast

By volunteering in the workshops, the volunteers developed skills such as active listening, collaboration, critical thinking and confidence.

Fellow Teesside University colleagues were in attendance such as Amelia Lake, Professor of Public Health Nutrition who delivered an inspiring speech about the environments that shape our food choices, from neighbourhoods to national policy and how we can design a healthier and fairer system for everyone. It was inspiring to see fellow Teesside University professionals paving the way in this area.

The volunteers and volunteering team worked together throughout the day, we all left feeling energised, happy, and eager to do more. The feeling of been able to help and give back to the community was rewarding at an event that was very thought provoking indeed.

Thank you volunteers and Good Food Middlesbrough for a fantastic Do Good, Feel Good event.

Please keep a look out for our other opportunities, if you require any assistance, then email volunteering@tees.ac.uk