WHEN the call came that the chef at a Winchester charity that helps homeless and vulnerable people would be away for a month the city council answered in style.

Five teams from the council, including councillors and officers, stepped up to the plate – literally – for the charity Trinity.

Trinity, based at Durngate, provides services for the homeless including free meals.

Cllr Guy Ashton, portfolio holder for professional services, said: “I can think of few more useful ways for the council to build on its existing relationship with Trinity, and I am delighted that our corporate volunteering policy has created this kind of opportunity. I would challenge any commercial agency to devise a day which does so much to build teams, exercise lateral thinking skills and encourage an agile mindset.”

“These will benefit the council – and our customers – as well as those who end up with a hot meal at the Trinity!”

Heading the rota for the first session was mayor Jane Rutter, meanwhile deputy mayor Cllr David McLean will be handing out orders to would-be chefs for the final stint next week on February 22.

Keen to be part of the wider team effort, new Leader Cllr Caroline Horrill and new Chief Executive Laura Taylor have already offered their services – along with other Cabinet colleagues and the Corporate Management Team – for a future rota slot in March.

In order to turn out and cook, council staff use part of their allocation of ‘volunteering leave’, which gives three days per year for staff to help in community organisations.