At Distinct, we believe purpose goes beyond the workplace. That’s why every team member is given paid volunteering days—to step away from their desks and give back to causes that matter. This week, two of our leadership team, Elena (Head of People) and Josh (Head of Marketing), headed to The Felix Project’s Poplar depot to do just that. Donning aprons and hairnets, they joined a brilliant group of volunteers tackling one of London’s biggest issues: food waste and food poverty.
Fighting Food Waste & Feeding London: Team Distinct Joins The Felix Project
At Distinct, we believe making an impact should go beyond the four walls of our clients’ spaces. From delivering premium luxury cleaning services to supporting our communities, our mission has always been twofold: excellence in service, and purpose in everything we do. That’s why every team member at Distinct is given paid volunteering days—to dedicate time to causes that matter.
This week, two of our senior team, Elena (Head of People) and Josh (Head of Marketing), spent the day volunteering at The Felix Project—a remarkable food redistribution charity fighting hunger and food waste across London. The experience was as eye-opening as it was rewarding.
Who Are The Felix Project?
The Felix Project is a London-based charity with a powerful mission: to rescue surplus food and redistribute it to those who need it most. Operating across multiple sites, including their Poplar depot where our team volunteered, The Felix Project collects high-quality, nutritious food from suppliers that would otherwise go to waste. That food is then delivered to charities, schools, and community groups feeding vulnerable Londoners.
Every week, they save tonnes of perfectly good produce—transforming it into life-changing meals for people facing food insecurity. It’s a vital operation that not only tackles hunger, but also helps fight the environmental cost of food waste.
A Day in the Depot: 200kg of Potatoes Later...
Invited by our partners at Mulberry England, Elena and Josh rolled up their sleeves at the charity’s Poplar site. Alongside a team of dedicated volunteers, they chopped, prepped, and peeled over 200 kilograms of potatoes—all destined to become hot, nourishing meals for communities across the capital.
The pace was fast, the work physical (blisters included!), and the reward? Immense. As Elena put it:
“It was incredibly humbling to see how much effort goes into every meal. The Felix Project is running a truly inspiring operation, and we’re proud to have played a small part.”
Corporate Volunteering That Makes a Difference
At Distinct, we’re committed to being an ethical employer—one that prioritises both people and planet. Offering paid volunteering days to all staff is one way we live that promise. Whether it’s supporting sustainability initiatives, cleaning up local communities, or volunteering at food banks, we want our team to have the freedom and encouragement to contribute meaningfully beyond their roles.
Our work may focus on maintaining immaculate environments for luxury retail and corporate spaces, but our purpose goes far deeper. From reducing environmental impact through chemical-free cleaning to creating employment opportunities for underrepresented communities, we are proud to be a business that believes in better.
What’s Next?
This visit to The Felix Project won’t be our last. We’re already planning another volunteer day—this time with even more of the team involved. The feedback has been clear: giving back is good for the soul, the community, and the culture we continue to build at Distinct.
We’d like to thank Rosie from Mulberry for the invitation, and The Felix Project for the warm welcome. We encourage any business—large or small—to consider how they can support organisations like this. Because when purpose and action align, powerful things happen.
💚 Want to work for a company that gives back? Explore life at Distinct on our Careers page.
💚 Learn more about our Social Impact and commitment to ethical business.
