It’s been another year of amazing impact for the DLAG operations team and the charity as a whole. The operations team at the Hub has prepared and delivered food boxes to over 100 households each week, occasionally exceeding 150, as well as distributing food to 27 charity partners on a regular basis. They have managed 16,551 hours of stall volunteering this year, an average of 875 volunteer hours per month in the Hub, and 50 drivers per month who have completed over 3,000 hours of trips to clients (figures as at end of October).
The team has also supported the transition to the new DLAG office, helping create a more professional working environment, and have continued to host corporate volunteer days and supported school visits.
The operations team never stands still and new projects this year have included the DLAG Community Kitchen, DLAG in Tune (instrument donations in partnership with the Jack Lonergan Foundation) and DLAG in Uniform, as well as a new regular fundraising event, POW house music night. They have also looked to treat and connect our volunteers, introducing a volunteer discount card, book and walking groups and continuing to hold annual events for volunteers, such as the tea party, days out and the quiz night.
We caught up with Rob, Tim and Craig at the Hub to review the year and find out what 2026 has in store.
What are you most proud of from a DLAG operations point of view in 2025?
Rob: If I had to pinpoint one thing, it’s probably that DLAG gets things done. I’m incredibly proud of our turnaround time. On several occasions this year, we’ve gone from receipt of an emergency referral to a volunteer doorstep delivery in under 30 minutes. People in urgent need of food have gone from not having a crumb of food to having a full week’s supply in under half an hour, you wouldn’t get a Deliveroo that fast! There’s nobody who does it like DLAG!
Tim: As always, the same answer I’ve given for nearly six years, is that I’m so proud of the family we have created amongst the DLAG volunteers.
Craig: Being able to introduce school uniforms and more recently the DLAG community kitchen to help feed local homeless people with soup, rolls, water, snacks and fruit.
What has been your personal DLAG highlight of 2025?
Rob: I’d say I’m most proud that our team, made up largely of volunteers, has provided over 310 metric tonnes of food, worth more than £730,000, to individuals and families in our community so far in 2025. We’re delivering directly to some of the most poverty-stricken areas of South West London in the midst of a cost-of-living crisis. Being able to help so many people is a real highlight. DLAG truly makes a massive difference.
Tim: Personally with the backing of the trustees I’ve been able to put on some amazing parties (POW) in Wimbledon using my knowledge and connections within the music industry all in aid of the charity that I work for.
Craig: I see every day as a highlight in that our team is in a position to make a difference and we do. We could say tomorrow but we don’t, and we won’t, because we are about the wow and the now.
What are you looking forward to in 2026?
Rob: We have expanded our team and I’m looking forward to helping the new joiners to settle into the DLAG culture. Also supporting our volunteers, trustees and colleagues as we continue our fight against poverty in our community.
Tim: More of the same please! Keeping the same energy to manage our amazing volunteers. Our staff has grown in numbers which can only be a good thing as we continue to support people in poverty.
Craig: I always have a couple of ideas ready to throw out there and see what happens. But as always, our volunteers will know first and I’ll speak to them when researching the ideas to see if they are doable.