Meet Michelle, a Barnet Homes resident living on the Grahame Park Estate in Colindale. She is a volunteer chef at FUSE youth project situated in the old library in the concourse of the Grahame Park estate.

Mother of seven Michelle, moved into the Grahame Park estate six years ago, and has been leading a very active life in her local community ever since. We caught up with Michelle at the FUSE youth project, where she volunteers every Friday as their chef, cooking free hot meals for children and young adults aged 8-16.

As a busy mum, what made you want to volunteer for the FUSE youth project? I was watching the Pride of Britain awards on the telly, and I thought I want to do something like that, I want to be a pillar of the community.

How did you find out about this role?

I went to a job fair for volunteering, and I met someone who said I’d be the ideal candidate for the chef at the FUSE youth project in the Grahame Park Estate. I got the role and I started volunteering here about four years ago. I come along every Friday and I cook a hot meal for the 20 to 35 kids that use the centre after school. And I also cook for them in the school holidays.

What do you most like about being a volunteer chef here?

Even though I’m a parent of so many children, I don’t feel appreciated at home, but I feel appreciated here. It doesn’t matter what I cook, there’s always children here that like it, they don’t get a chance to eat food like this at home. Some kids like spice, some kids are used to very plain food, I mix it up! Some kid came up to me today and said you know, you’re an excellent chef – it made my heart melt!

But seriously, we know very well that for some kids who attend this youth club it is the only food they’re going to get. They almost always ask, is there seconds?

I love volunteering here. I’ve always had a caring nature, and because I’d been through a difficult life when I was a teenager, I always said to myself I’ll never see anyone suffer if I can help it.

In appreciation of Michelle’s dedication to the youth club and to feeding children from low income families, Barnet Homes have recognised Michelle with her very own pride of Barnet Homes Award for Volunteer of the Year.

Congratulations Michelle, you are a pillar of the community!