Dundee businesses are rolling up their sleeves to help fight food waste and food poverty, transforming their staff volunteering hours into thousands of nutritious meals for people in need.
Teams from organisations including Social Security Scotland, Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN), and Abbott Nutrition have all volunteered with Signpost International, a Dundee-based charity that rescues surplus food from supermarkets and farms and turns it into healthy frozen meals distributed through local foodbanks and larders. Their efforts help ensure that good food does not go to waste, and that individuals and families across the city have access to nutritious meals when they need them most.
Many UK businesses encourage staff volunteering because it helps communities, strengthens employees’ skills and morale, and enhances reputation. However, according to the Royal Voluntary Service, 140 million employee volunteering hours go unused each year in the UK.
Jamie Morrison, CEO of Signpost International, said, “Every day, we see first-hand the power of community action and the difference individuals can make, reducing waste, feeding people and building stronger communities. During a time when many businesses have committed to staff volunteering, we know they want to give back, but don’t always know how. We want to turn that around for everyone’s benefit. Just a few hours from a team can help us turn donated ingredients into hundreds of meals for people who need them most. It’s a tangible, positive use of time that would otherwise go to waste.”
Signpost International, based at The Roundhouse in Whitfield, offers flexible volunteering opportunities for teams of all sizes, from one-off sessions to regular commitments. Businesses can also get involved through skill-sharing or outdoor work in the charity’s community garden.
Kenny MacNiven, Contract Manager, Abbott Nutrition, said, “Our team came away genuinely inspired. The chance to get involved in the day-to-day running of the Roundhouse, and knowing we helped prepare nearly 100 meals, made the day incredibly rewarding. What really surprised us was the sheer breadth of the charity’s impact — from supporting the local community, young carers, and environmental initiatives, to its educational reach and projects in Africa. It was eye-opening to see just how much good is being done, both at home and abroad. For other local businesses, volunteering at Signpost International is a no-brainer: it’s a fantastic way to give back to the communities on your doorstep, while also offering meaningful team-building experiences. Our people live locally, so we wanted to do something that directly benefits families right here. The impact is tangible and inspiring.”
Signpost International not only transforms surplus food into meals but also works with families, school pupils and young people throughout the year, building their confidence, skills and understanding of growing, preserving and cooking fresh, nutritious food.
While rooted in Dundee, Signpost International also supports communities worldwide. Through global partnerships, the charity empowers people to tackle poverty and injustice, helping to build thriving, resilient communities. Its work focuses on four key themes: food security, sustainable livelihoods, water, sanitation and hygiene, and global citizenship, impacting 30,000 to 35,000 people annually.
To find out more about volunteering at The Roundhouse, please email enquiries@signpost-international.org or phone 01382 504033.
