{"id":10831,"date":"2026-09-28T12:02:40","date_gmt":"2026-09-28T11:02:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sites.manchester.ac.uk\/humanities-blog\/?p=10831"},"modified":"2026-09-28T12:02:40","modified_gmt":"2026-09-28T11:02:40","slug":"from-hcri-to-volunteer-management-my-journey-as-an-idmhr-graduate","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sites.manchester.ac.uk\/humanities-blog\/2026\/09\/28\/from-hcri-to-volunteer-management-my-journey-as-an-idmhr-graduate\/","title":{"rendered":"From HCRI to Volunteer Management: My Journey as an IDMHR Graduate"},"content":{"rendered":"

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My current role <\/strong><\/p>\n

I studied BSc International Disaster Management and Humanitarian Response and graduated in July 2025. Since then, I have worked for Felix, the UK\u2019s largest food redistribution network. I began as a farm rescue lead, managing 40 volunteers each day during the harvest season to pick apples, pears, or plums that would otherwise go to waste. We then shipped the produce to London and distributed it to schools, charities, and other community organisations. We also made delicious apple juice that the kids loved. Once the harvest was over, I moved from the supply team to the volunteering team and became the volunteer lead for the Green Scheme. It is similar to \u201cToo Good To Go\u201d, but no money is involved, and the food volunteers save goes straight to community organisations in and around Central London. My role has also recently expanded to managing volunteers at New Spitalfields Market, one of the UK\u2019s largest wholesale markets. Volunteers sort through the end-of-day produce, remove any waste, and save the rest for Felix to send out.<\/p>\n

How my course prepared me for the role <\/strong><\/p>\n

The reading I was required to do on my course opened my eyes to the multiple perspectives and stakeholders across the NGO sector. My course taught me that there is rarely one right answer to a complex problem, because every business, community organisation and volunteer sees it differently. My syllabus helped me to weigh those perspectives and find my feet quickly.<\/p>\n

One module that broadened my horizons was Rethinking Crisis. It challenged me to question what we call a crisis and who decides how we respond. That shaped how I work now. Food waste and food insecurity are not sudden disasters, but they are everyday crises happening side by side. Felix\u2019s work links the two, turning an environmental problem into a social opportunity.<\/p>\n

Future career aspirations <\/strong><\/p>\n

This October, I start an MSc in Risk, Disaster and Resilience at UCL. I came to Manchester wanting to work and travel in the humanitarian sector, and that hasn’t changed. However, my time at Manchester and my work at Felix have both shown me how many routes there are into this field. After my master\u2019s, I hope to work in communications, policy or research, or directly in the field as a programme manager.<\/p>\n

Advice\/tips for offer holders <\/strong><\/p>\n

Think about your priorities and what you want to get out of university. Having a clear sense of that from the start will help you make the most of your degree, while still leaving room for it to open your mind to new opportunities.<\/p>\n

My main practical tip is to commit to one way of taking notes. Work out how you learn best, stick with that method and keep refining it. It does pay off over time. When I was writing my dissertation, I found it really helpful to be able to look back over my notes and remind myself of topics.<\/p>\n

Finally, enjoy university your way. Manchester is a big place and everyone\u2019s experience is different, so be proactive, get involved and make it your own.<\/p>\n

Written by Ben Moore, a BSc International Disaster Management and Humanitarian Response (2025) graduate.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

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Contact Us<\/h4>\n

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+44 (0) 161 306 6000<\/p>\n

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The University of Manchester
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Manchester
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UK<\/a><\/p>\n

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