A charity has launched a new Worcester project to help tackle food poverty, loneliness, and waste.

FoodCycle, the community dining charity, launched its first Worcester project on Thursday (October 3) at the Tolladine Hub.

It is the charity's 12th project in the West Midlands.

Read more: Cycling in Worcester High Street: a blind person's view

The charity aims to feed communities across England and Wales, and is appealing for volunteers to help provide free weekly hot lunches for regular guests, every Thursday at 5.30pm.

Volunteers will turn surplus food into vegetarian dishes like soups, curries, and fruit crumble.

Pablo Allan, the charity's regional manager in the West Midlands, said: "We’re excited to be opening our new FoodCycle community dining project in Worcester.

"This is a vibrant city where there is a high demand for free food provision for local people, particularly as the high cost of living continues to affect everything from fuel bills to food costs.

"Our vital community service runs on the kindness of volunteers, so we’re asking local people willing to give up a few hours a month to get in touch with us."

The project has served more than 100,000 free meals nationally and saved more than 200 tonnes of surplus food from landfill this year alone.

Pam, a volunteer, said: "Every week, once you see people fed it's rewarding because you know that without us, they might not have had access to a hot meal that week.

"At the end of the day, you get a sense you’re doing something worthwhile using food that would otherwise have ended up in the bin."

The charity's survey of 1,448 guests in December 2023 revealed almost half eat most meals alone, and 72 per cent had felt lonely.

The survey also suggested the community meals model supports people's wellbeing, with 92 per cent of guests leaving weekly meals feeling happier, 88 per cent feeling more part of their community, and 84 per cent feeling less lonely.